His wife and most intimate friends failed to recognize him.

He of course revealed his identity to his wife but to no one else.
He now had the appearance of a healthy, handsome, robust colored girl, with features rather large for a woman but attractive just the same.

In this guise Belton applied for a position as nurse and was successful in securing a place in the family of a leading white man.
He loitered near the family circle as much as he could.

His ear was constantly at the key holes, listening.

Sometimes he would engage in conversation for the purpose of drawing them out on the question of the Negro.
He found out that the white man was utterly ignorant of the nature of the Negro of to-day with whom he has to deal.