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squabble in which I might come out second best, I adopted the strategem — absente-reo — of calling upon "John" at the kitchen. Finding him not unwilling to accompany me, I gave him a new suit of clothes, and turned him over to the Judge, with whom he went his way rejoicing. Mrs. H's talk about Emily's "relations", her "dying request" &c. I know nothing about, but the old lady must pardon me the opinion that it is all humbug. The sudden and unexpected death of Emily, her peculiar symptoms, the unaccountable interest of Mrs. H. during her sickness; and her greed to get the children after she was dead, led some persons, who knew the old Doctress better than I did, to suspect foul play. These circumstances I had not failed to notice myself. I therefore made arrangements with Dr. Latimer to disinter the remains privately, and examine the stomach. I regret that the weather and Dr. L's engagements prevented us from carrying out our plan until it was probable that the body had become much decomposed, when we gave it up. Perhaps I ought not to mention these things, as they only amount to a suspician, but they belong to the history of the case. — As to my popularity "among black and white" — it is a matter that I can not have much to say upon. U.S. officers of this Bureau are not apt to be popular with rebels if they do their duty. The fact that Mrs. Holland says I am not popular however, leads me to suppose that I may be more so than I am aware of. She is one of those venomous rebel females who are not unknown to every officer 

Transcription Notes:
absente reo: the defendant being absent (per Merriam-Webster)