The thing made a big stir in the town, too, and a
good many come out flatfooted and said it was scandalous
to separate the mother and the children that way.
It injured the frauds some; but the old fool he bulled
right along, spite of all the duke could say or do, and
I tell you the duke was powerful uneasy.
Next day was auction day. About broad day in the
morning the king and the duke come up in the garret
and woke me up, and I see by their look that there
was trouble. The king says:
"Was you in my room night before last?"
"No, your majesty" -- which was the way I always
called him when nobody but our gang warn't around.
"Was you in there yisterday er last night?"
"No, your majesty."
"Honor bright, now -- no lies."
"Honor bright, your majesty, I'm telling you the
truth. I hain't been a-near your room since Miss Mary
Jane took you and the duke and showed it to you."
The duke says:
"Have you seen anybody else go in there?"
"No, your grace, not as I remember, I believe."
"Stop and think."
I studied awhile and see my chance; then I says:
"Well, I see the niggers go in there several times."
Both of them gave a little jump, and looked like
they hadn't ever expected it, and then like they HAD.
Then the duke says:
"What, all of them?"
"No -- leastways, not all at once -- that is, I don't
think I ever see them all come OUT at once but just one
time."
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