oyful, knowing
nothing of what lay before her or of this sinister story of attempted
murder and robbery. Resolutely setting it all aside, Mrs. Swanwick went
out to provide for the wants of the day.

A half hour later De Courval crossed the city, riding along High Street
A pleasant comrade--Joy--went with him as he turned down Front Street,
past widely separated houses and gardens gay with flowers. Once they had
been country homes, but now the city was slowly crowding in on them with
need for docks. He left his horse at the stable and walked swiftly
homeward.

Mrs. Swanwick's house was still remote enough to be secure from the
greed of commerce. The dusty, gray road before him, dry with the intense
heat of August, ran southward. No one was in sight. There was something
mysteriously depressing in the long highway without sign of life, a
reminder of that terrible summer when day by day he had come out of the
house and seen no one.

As he drew near Mrs. Swanwick's door, he met Captain Biddle. "Oh, by
George!" said the sailor, "so you are come at last, and none too soon. I
have been here thrice."

"What is the matter, Captain? Is any one ill?"

"No; but there is a lot of lies about you. There is neither decency nor
charity ashore. Have you been at the State Department or seen any one?"

"No. I am this moment come back. But, for God's sake, Captain, tell me
what it is."

"A fellow named Carteaux has charged you with half killing him and
stealing his despatches. That is all I know."

"Is that all? _Diable!_ I am sorry I did not wholly kill him. I knew
this would come out soon or late. Of course he is lying; but I did shoot
him."

"There is a malignant article in the 'Aurora' to-day--there, I marked
it."

Rene looked it over as he stood. "So I am the thief, I am the agent of
the cabinet or the Federal party, and _mon Dieu_, Schmidt--"

"It is serious," said the captain. "A horsewhip is the weapon needed
here, but I am at your service in every way."

"Thank you; but first of all, I must see Mr. Randolph; and, oh, worst of
all, Schmidt is absent!" He felt that he could not meet Margaret until
he had put an end to this slander. He foresaw also that to meet with
success would, in Schmidt's absence, be difficult. Thanking his sailor
friend, he made haste to see his official superior.

"Ah," said Randolph, "I am both glad and sorry to see you. Sit down.
Have you heard of the charges against you made by Mr. Fauchet fo