"Well, call her, but let this matter be done with soon."

Fannie was summoned, and when the matter was explained to her, first
gave evidences of giving way to grief, but when the detective began to
question her, she calmed herself and answered directly just as her
husband had.

"Well posted," sneered Oakley. "Arrest that man."

Berry had begun to look more hopeful during Fannie's recital, but now
the ashen look came back into his face. At the word "arrest" his wife
collapsed utterly, and sobbed on her husband's shoulder.

"Send the woman away."

"I won't go," cried Fannie stoutly; "I 'll stay right hyeah by my
husband. You sha'n't drive me away f'om him."

Berry turned to his employer. "You b'lieve dat I stole f'om dis house
aftah all de yeahs I 've been in it, aftah de caih I took of yo' money
an' yo' valybles, aftah de way I 've put you to bed f'om many a dinnah,
an' you woke up to fin' all yo' money safe? Now, can you b'lieve dis?"

His voice broke, and he ended with a cry.

"Yes, I believe it, you thief, yes. Take him away."

Berry's eyes were bloodshot as he replied, "Den, damn you! damn you! ef
dat 's all dese yeahs counted fu', I wish I had a-stoled it."

Oakley made a step forward, and his man did likewise, but the officer
stepped between them.

"Take that damned hound away, or, by God! I 'll do him violence!"

The two men stood fiercely facing each other, then the handcuffs were
snapped on the servant's wrist.

"No, no," shrieked Fannie, "you must n't, you must n't. Oh, my Gawd! he
ain 't no thief. I 'll go to Mis' Oakley. She nevah will believe it."
She sped from the room.

The commotion had called a crowd of curious servants into the hall.
Fannie hardly saw them as she dashed among them, crying for her
mistress. In a moment she returned, dragging Mrs. Oakley by the hand.

"Tell 'em, oh, tell 'em, Miss Leslie, dat you don't believe it. Don't
let 'em 'rest Berry."

"Why, Fannie, I can't do anything. It all seems perfectly plain, and Mr.
Oakley knows better than any of us, you know."

Fannie, her last hope gone, flung herself on the floor, crying, "O Gawd!
O Gawd! he 's gone fu' sho'!"

Her husband bent over her, the tears dropping from his eyes. "Nevah
min', Fannie," he said, "nevah min'. Hit 's boun' to come out all
right."

She raised her head, and seizing his manacled hands pressed them to her
breast, wailing in a low monotone, "Gone! gone!"

They disengaged her hands, and led Ber