puzzled to know why one of Mr. Allen's under-clerks should suddenly
appear in the role of social caller upon the young ladies, for Mr.
Fox, the gentleman in question, ostensibly had no higher position. His
appearance and manner indicated a mystery. Old Hannibal's wool had not
grown white for nothing, and he was the last man in the world to go
through a mystery as a blundering bumblebee would through a spider's
web. He was for leaving the web all intact till he knew who spun it
and whom it was to catch. If it was Mr. Allen's work or Miss Edith's,
it _must_ stand; if not, he could play bumblebee with a vengeance, and
carry off the gossamer of intrigue with one sweep.

So, showing Mr. Fox into a small reception room, he made his way to
the library door with a motion that would have reminded you of a
great, stealthy cat, and called in a loud, impressive whisper:

"Miss Edith!"

Edith at once rose and went to him, knowing that her prime minister
had some important question of state to present when summoning her in
that tone.

Screened by the library door, Hannibal commenced in a deprecating way:

"I told Mr. Fox you'se engaged, but he say I must give you dis card.
He kinder acted as if he own dis niggar and de whole establishment."

A sudden heavy frown drew Edith's dark eyebrows together and she said
loud enough for Mr. Fox in his ambush to hear:

"Was there ever such impudence!" and straightway the frown passed to