"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