"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."