"Jonas! Jonas!" said Mrs. Varney, in bitter disappointment; "how could you?"
"I told you so," said Mr. Arrelsford truthfully, triumphantly, and most aggravatingly under the circumstances, taking the folded paper. "Corporal," he added, "while I read this, see if he has got anything more."
A further search, however, revealed nothing. Arrelsford had scarcely completed the reading of the brief note when the Corporal reported:
Arrelsford nodded. The men had released Jonas, but stood by his side, and the Secret Service Agent now approached him.
"Who was this for?" he asked sharply and tensely.
The negro stared at him stolidly and silently, his face ashen with fright.
"Look here," continued the other, "if you don't tell me it is going to make it pretty bad for you."
The words apparently made no further impression upon the servant. Arrelsford tried another tack. He turned to Mrs. Varney, who was completely dismayed at this breach of trust by one who had been attached to the family fortunes for so many years.
"I am right sorry, ma'am," he said very distinctly, "but it looks like we have got to shoot him."
"Oh!" cried Mrs. Varney at that. "Jonas, speak!"
But even to that appeal he remained silent. Arrelsford waited a moment and then:
"Corporal," he said; "take him outside and get it out of him. String him up until he talks. But don't let him yell or give any alarm; gag him until he's ready to tell. You understand?"
The Corporal nodded and turned toward the hall door.
"Not that way," said Arrelsford; "take him to the back of the house and keep him quiet, whatever you do. Nobody must know about this, not a soul."
"Very good, sir," said the Corporal, saluting. He gave an order to the men, and they marched Jonas off, swiftly and silently. Nothing that had been said or done had disturbed the women across the hall. Mrs. Varney glanced up at the unfolded piece of paper in Mr. Arrelsford's hand. He was smiling triumphantly.
"Yes, there was. We know the trick they meant to play."
"Thank God for that," exclaimed the woman. "May I see it?"
He extended his hand toward her, and she glanced at the paper.
"_Attack to-night. Plan 3. Use telegraph!_" she read. She looked up.
"What does it mean?" she asked tremulously.