CHAPTER XXIX.
THE MYSTERY DEEPENS It was a task I distinctly shrank from, but could not escape.
"Shall I not call in your father, and ask him to relate the story ?" "No; I would much rather hear it from you--tell me everything." My heart throbbed at these simple words, and the thought suddenly occurred that possibly it was her loss of faith in me, rather than the death of Le Gaire which had brought such pain.

If she had actually believed all the man had told her, it must have proven a shock, yet how could I now best counteract his story?
It was not my nature to speak ill of any one, least of all the dead, but I must justify myself, win back her respect.

Only the whole truth could accomplish this.

There was a hassock nearby and I dropped down upon it.

She did not move, nor turn her face toward me.
I began with my orders to report at General Grant's headquarters, so as to thus make clear to her the reasons bringing me to the Hardy plantation.