A gentleman by birth and
education, these duties were extremely distasteful to him,--embraced
because necessity compelled him. His mind seemed far away from his
business, for a party of negroes passed him on his return, upon whom he
did not bestow the usual benediction the boys receive when found out
after hours.
"Strike while the iron is hot," muttered he, as he entered the house,
and gave his lantern to a servant. "If I don't do it to-night, it may be
too late another time. The letter is in safe hands; and, as to the
other traps, I must get them if I can. At any rate, I will try."
Approaching the door of the library, he knocked, and was requested to
enter. Under pretence of receiving directions for his next day's
operations upon the plantation, he entered, and opened a conversation
with Jaspar. Walking carelessly up and down the room while his employer
issued his commands, he occasionally cast a furtive glance at the
secretary. Then, narrowing down his walk, he approached nearer and
nearer to it, until his swinging arm could touch it as he passed.
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