A few days previous to their
departure, this man had come to the house, and sought the presence of
his youthful mistress, when he knew her to be alone in the parlor, and
with a good deal of mystery and hesitation had laid before her a dagger
which he said he should rather have given to "Marster Paul," if the
latter had been at home. He had picked it up near the water's edge on
the sands the night of Miss Mayfield's death, which "Marster" had taken
so to heart, that he was afraid to harrow up his feelings by bringing it
to him a second time--but that as it was an article of value, he did not
like to take it away with him. And he begged Miss Miriam to take charge
of it. And Miriam had taken it, and with surprise, but without the
slightest suspicion, had read the name of "Thurston Willcoxen" carved
upon its handle. To all her questions, Melchisedek had given evasive
answers, or remained obstinately silent, being determined not to betray
his master's confidence by revealing his share in the events of that
fatal night. Miriam had taken the little instrument, wrapped it
carefully in paper, and locked it in her old-fashioned long glove-box.
And from that day to this she had not opened it.
Now, however, she had taken it out with a fixed purpose, and she stood
and gazed upon it.
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