But where she was and who took her, get her to tell if you can, for I don't know no more 'n the dead." "The dead!" flashed out Sweetwater, wheeling suddenly about and pointing straight through the open stable-door towards the house where the young mistress the old servant mourned, lay in her funeral casket.

"Do you mean her--the lady who is about to be buried?
Could _she_ tell if her lips were not sealed by a murderer's hand ?" "She!" The word came low and awesomely.

Rude and uncultured as the man was, he seemed to be strangely affected by this unexpected suggestion.

"I haven't the wit to answer that," said he.

"How can we tell what she knew.
The man who killed her is in jail.