It was actually true then--the girl was a slave, a thing belonging to Kirby.

Nothing broke the stillness within the cabin, except the sharp crackling of flames in the open fireplace, and the heavy breathing of the negro.

He was seated on the edge of the bed, his black face showing a greenish tint, and revealing puzzled amazement, with wide-opened eyes staring blankly at Haines, who stood motionless before the fire.
"Whut wus dat yer sed, Mister Haines ?" he asked thickly.

"You say as how Missus Rene Beaucaire is a slave, sah?
Pears like I don't just rightfully understan'." "Still that is true, Pete," and the lawyer lifted his head and surveyed us both.

"She is the illegitimate daughter of Delia, Judge Beaucaire's housekeeper; her father was Adelbert Beaucaire, the Judge's only son.
No one knows where he is, dead or alive." "De good Lord! An' de ol' Jedge never set her free ?" The lawyer shook his head, words evidently failing him.
"But are you absolutely certain of this ?" I broke in impatiently.
"Have you searched the records ?" "Not only searched them, Knox, but, before he left for the north on this last trip, Beaucaire was in my office, and I practically forced him to acknowledge the negligence.