"'I wish it may; but,' said Mr. Tyson, 'thy progress down hill has been so rapid, and thou hast got so far, that thee will find it rather hard to turn about and ascend.'
"These doubtings, attended with a shrewd, suspicious, yet satirical look, had the effect intended; for the man became doubly anxious to do what he had come to do, and what he thought would be esteemed a great favor by Mr. Tyson. Accordingly, after a word or two of preface, he stated that he 'had reason to believe that ----', naming a certain trader, 'had kidnapped two free blacks.'
"'Thee is certainly mistaken,' said Mr. Tyson, affecting great surprise; 'it is hardly possible that so worthy a man could have been guilty of so great a crime.'
"This apparent doubt on the part of Mr. Tyson, made the man more anxious to bring out all his testimony.
"'But who told thee this piece of news?' said Mr. Tyson. There was a breach at once into the man's order and arrangement and he hesitated for a reply. 'Mr. ----, Mr. ----, Mr. ----, what do ye call him, spoke to me about it.' 'Who?' said Mr. Tyson. 'Mr. ----,' said the man; mentioning the name of a veteran dealer in human flesh.
"'Is he engaged in the traffic now?' asked Mr. Tyson.
"'By himself, or in partnership?' asked Mr. Tyson carelessly.
"'Why, I believe he is in partnership with some body.'
"'Is he not in partnership,' said Mr. Tyson, 'with ----?' naming the person whom the man was anxious to inculpate.
"'I believe he was, but I don't know that he is now.'
"'Thee don't know of their having dissolved?' asked Mr. Tyson at the same time, as if thoughtlessly lighting his pipe.
"'No, I do not. But as I was going to say,' said the trader--
"'Ah, true,' said Mr. Tyson, 'we must not forget. Thee was talking about a case of kidnapping; well?'
"'Last night,' said the trader, 'a hack drove up to the tavern where I lodge. The hackman inquired the way to ----'s tavern, which is the place of rendezvous for ---- and his gang;' naming the person whose guilt _seemed_ to be the principal object of inquiry. 'I looked into the carriage, and saw two boys.'
"'No, they were gagged, and that made me think they were kidnapped.'
"'Nobody but the driver, and he was black.'
"'Did thee direct him as he requested?' asked Mr. Tyson.