It was about that time the doctor returned to his office to find it deserted.  Nap was summoned.

“What’s become of the man I left here in your charge, sirrah?” asked the doctor sternly.

“Dunno, sah, Massa Doctah,” answered Nap, glancing in astonishment from side to side.  “To’t he heyah, sah; ‘deed I did.  Took he coat an’ boots to clean ’em; to’t he safe till I fotch ’em back; wouldn’t go off without dem.”

The doctor stepped to the closet.  “Yes, my coat and boots gone, bottle of wine emptied, no fee for professional aid—­a fine day’s work for me.”

“Massa Doctah! you don’t say de rascal done stole yer coat an’ boots?  Oh, ef I cotch him, I——­” and Napoleon Bonaparte George Washington Marquis de Lafayette looked unutterable things.

“Better take care I don’t get hold of you!” cried the irate master.  “Go and tell Cato to saddle and bridle Selim and bring him to the door as quickly as possible; and do you find out if anybody saw which way the rascal went.  He must be caught, for he’s a burglar and murderer!”

Nap lifted his hands and opened mouth and eyes wide in surprise and horror.

“Begone!” cried the doctor, stamping his foot, “and don’t stand gaping there while the scoundrel escapes.”

Nap shuffled out, leaving his master pacing the office to and fro with angry, impatient strides.

“What is it, my dear? what has gone wrong?” asked his wife, looking in upon him.

“Come, sit down on the sofa here and I’ll tell you,” he said, his excited manner quieting somewhat at sight of her pleasant face.

She accepted the invitation, and seating himself beside her he briefly related all that he knew of Jackson and his attack on Mr. Travilla.

He had hardly finished when Nap returned with the news that several of the negro children had seen a man go down the avenue and get aboard a passing boat.

“Ah ha!” cried the doctor, jumping up; “and which way was the boat going?”

“Dat way, sah,” replied Nap, indicating the direction by a flourish of his right hand.

At that moment Mr. and Mrs. Travilla rode up, and Dr. and Mrs. Balis hastened out to greet them.

“He’s gone; took the morning boat,” cried the doctor.

“Good!” said Mr. Travilla, “we have only to head him with a telegram, and he’ll be arrested on stepping ashore; or on board the boat.”

“Unless he should land in the next town, Madison, which the boat, having a good hour’s start of us, would reach before the swiftest messenger we could send; probably has already reached.”

“Then the best plan will be for me to ride on to Madison, give notice to the authorities, have it ascertained whether our man has landed there, and if not telegraph to the next town and have them ready to board the boat, with a warrant for his arrest, as soon as it arrives.”

“Yes; and I’ll mount Selim and go with you,” answered the doctor.  “I probably know the road better than you do.  And our wives may keep each other company till we return.”