All they could tell him was, that they heard the quadroons who used to be kept there by the gentleman that owned the house had gone to the North somewhere.

A pang shot through his soul as he asked himself whether they remembered his offer of assistance, and had gone in search of him.

He turned and looked back upon the house, as he had done that farewell morning, when he assured them that he would be a brother in time of need.

He could hardly believe that all the life and love and beauty which animated that home had vanished into utter darkness.

It seemed stranger than the changes of a dream.
Very sad at heart, he returned to the city and sought out a merchant with whom his father had been accustomed to transact business.