第4章

Hedidnotlingeroverthesedetails，butcastarapidglanceroundtheroom。Thenhiseyesbecamefixedonafancifulwriting-desk，whichstoodbythewindow。For，inahandsomevaseplacedonitsleveltop，anddroopingonaportfoliobelow，hungaclusteroftheveryflowersthatMissFaulknerhadcarried！

CHAPTERIV。

ItseemedplaintoBrantthatthedispatch-boxhadbeenconveyedhereandopenedforsecurityonthisdesk，andinthehurryofexaminingthepaperstheflowerhadbeenjostledandthefallengrainsofpollenoverlookedbythespy。Therewereoneortwofrecklesofredonthedesk，whichmadethisaccidentappearthemoreprobable。Buthewasequallystruckbyanothercircumstance。

Thedeskstoodimmediatelybeforethewindow。Asheglancedmechanicallyfromit，hewassurprisedtoseethatitcommandedanextensiveviewoftheslopebelowtheeminenceonwhichthehousestood，evenbeyondhisfurthestlineofpickets。Thevaseofflowers，eachofwhichwasnearlyaslargeasamagnoliablossom，andstrikingincolor，occupiedacentralpositionbeforeit，andnodoubtcouldbequitedistinctlyseenfromadistance。Fromthiscircumstancehecouldnotresistthestrongimpressionthatthisfatefulandextraordinaryblossom，carriedbyMissFaulknerandthemulatto，andsostrikingly"inevidence"atthewindow，wasinsomewayasignal。Obeyinganimpulsewhichhewasconscioushadahalfsuperstitiousfoundation，hecarefullyliftedthevasefromitspositionbeforethewindow，andplaceditonasidetable。Thenhecautiouslyslippedfromtheroom。

Buthecouldnoteasilyshakeofftheperplexitywhichtheoccurrencehadcaused，althoughhewassatisfiedthatitwasfraughtwithnomilitaryorstrategicdangertohiscommand，andthattheunknownspyhadobtainednoinformationwhatever。YethewasforcedtoadmittohimselfthathewasmoreconcernedinhisattemptstojustifytheconductofMissFaulknerwiththislaterrevelation。Itwasquitepossiblethatthedispatch-boxhadbeenpurloinedbysomeoneelseduringherabsencefromthehouse，asthepresenceofthemulattoservantinhisroomwouldhavebeenlesssuspiciousthanhers。TherewasreallylittleevidencetoconnectMissFaulknerwiththeactualoutrage，——rathermightnottherealspyhavetakenadvantageofhervisithere，tothrowsuspicionuponher？Herememberedhersingularmanner，——thestrangeinconsistencywithwhichshehadforcedthisfloweruponhim。Shewouldhardlyhavedonesohadshebeenconsciousofitshavingsoseriousanimport。Yet，whatwasthesecretofhermanifestagitation？Asuddeninspirationflashedacrosshismind；

asmilecameuponhislips。Shewasinlove！Theenemy’slinecontainedsomesighingStrephonofayoungsubalternwithwhomshewasincommunication，andforwhomshehadundertakenthisquest。

Theflowerwastheirlanguageofcorrespondence，nodoubt。Itexplainedalsotheyounggirl’sanimosityagainsttheyoungerofficers，——hisadversaries；againsthimself，——theircommander。Hehadpreviouslywonderedwhy，ifshewereindeedaspy，shehadnotchosen，uponsomeequallyspeciousorderfromWashington，theheadquartersofthedivisioncommander，whosesecretsweremorevaluable。Thiswasexplainedbythefactthatshewasnearerthelinesandherloverinherpresentabode。Hehadnoideathathewasmakingexcusesforher，——hebelievedhimselfonlyjust。Therecollectionofwhatshehadsaidofthepoweroflove，albeitithadhurthimcruellyatthetime，wasnowclearertohim，andevenseemedtomitigateheroffense。Shewouldbeherebutadayortwolonger；hecouldaffordtowaitwithoutinterrogatingher。

Butastotherealintruder，spyorthief，——thatwasanotheraffair，andquicklysettled。Hegaveanordertotheofficerofthedayperemptorilyforbiddingtheentranceofalienservantsorslaveswithintheprecinctsoftheheadquarters。Anyonethustrespassingwastobebroughtbeforehim。Theofficerlookedsurprised，heevenfancieddisappointed。Thegracesofthemulattowoman’sfigurehadevidentlynotbeenthrownawayuponhissubalterns。

Anhourortwolater，whenhewasmountinghishorseforaroundofinspection，hewassurprisedtoseeMissFaulkner，accompaniedbythemulattowoman，runninghurriedlytothehouse。Hehadforgottenhislateorderuntilhesawthelatterhaltedbythesentries，buttheyounggirlcameflyingon，regardlessofhercompanion。Herskirtwasheldinonehand，herstrawhathadfallenbackinherflight，andwascaughtonlybyaribbonaroundherswellingthroat，andherloosenedhairlayinablackrippledloopononeshoulder。ForaninstantBrantthoughtthatshewasseekinghiminindignationathisorder，butasecondlookathersetface，eagereyes，andpartedscarletlips，showedhimthatshehadnotevennoticedhimintheconcentrationofherpurpose。Shesweptbyhimintothehall，heheardtheswishofherskirtandrapidfeetonthestairs，——shewasgone。Whathadhappened，orwasthisanotherofhermoods？

Buthewascalledtohimselfbytheapparitionofacorporalstandingbeforehim，withthemulattowoman，——thefirstcaptureunderhisorder。Shewastall，well-formed，butunmistakablyshowingthenegrotype，eveninhersmallfeatures。Herblackeyeswereexcited，butunintelligent；hermannerdogged，butwiththeobstinacyofhalf-consciousstupidity。Brantfeltnotonlydisappointed，buthadasingularimpressionthatshewasnotthesamewomanthathehadfirstseen。Yettherewasthetall，gracefulfigure，thedarkprofile，andtheturbanedheadthathehadoncefolloweddownthepassagebyhisroom。

Herstorywasasstupidlysimple。Shehadknown"Missy"fromachile！Shehadjusttraipsedovertoseeherthatafternoon；theywerewalkingtogetherwhenthesojersstoppedher。Shehadneverbeenstoppedbefore，evenby"thepatterrollers。"*Heroldmassa（Manly）hadgibleaftogoseeMissTilly，andhadn’tsaidnuffinaboutno"orders。"

*i。e。，patrols，——acivichome-guardintheSouththatkeptsurveillanceofslaves。

Moreannoyedthanhecaredtoconfess，Brantbrieflydismissedherwithawarning。Ashecantereddowntheslopetheviewofthedistantpicketsrecalledthewindowinthewing，andheturnedinhissaddletolookatit。Thereitwas——thelargestandmostdominantwindowinthatpartofthebuilding——andwithinit，adistinctandvividobjectalmostfillingtheopening，wasthevaseofflowers，whichhehadafewhoursagoremoved，RESTOREDTO

ITSORIGINALPOSITION！Hesmiled。ThehurriedentranceandconsternationofMissFaulknerwerenowfullyexplained。Hehadinterruptedsomeimpassionedmessage，perhapsevencountermandedsomeaffectionaterendezvousbeyondthelines。Anditseemedtosettlethefactthatitwasshewhohaddonethesignaling！Butwouldnotthisalsomakehercognizantofthetakingofthedispatch-box？Hereflected，however，thattheroomwasapparentlyoccupiedbythemulattowoman——herememberedthecalicodressesandturbanonthebed——anditwaspossiblethatMissFaulknerhadonlyvisiteditforthepurposeofsignalingtoherlover。Althoughthiscircumstancedidnottendtomakehismindeasier，itwas，however，presentlydivertedbyanewarrivalandastrangerecognition。

Asherodethroughthecampagroupofofficerscongregatedbeforealargemesstentappearedtobehighlyamusedbytheconversation——

halfmonologueandhalfharangueofasingular-lookingindividualwhostoodinthecentre。Heworea"slouch"hat，tothebandofwhichhehadimpartedamilitaryairbytheadditionofagoldcord，butthebrimwascaughtupatthesideinapeculiarlytheatricalandhighlyartificialfashion。Aheavycavalrysabredependedfromabroad-buckledbeltunderhisblackfrockcoat，withtheadditionoftworevolvers——minustheirholsters——stuckoneithersideofthebuckle，afterthestyleofastagesmuggler。A

pairoflongenameledleatherridingboots，withthetopsturneddeeplyover，asiftheyhadoncedonedutyfortherepresentativeofacavalier，completedhisextraordinaryequipment。Thegroupweresoabsorbedinhimthattheydidnotperceivetheapproachoftheirchiefandhisorderly；andBrant，withasigntothelatter，haltedonlyafewpacesfromthiscentralfigure。Hisspeechwasasingularminglingofhigh-flownandexaltedepithets，withinexactpronunciationandoccasionallapsesofWesternslang。

"Well，Iain’tpurtendin’toanystratutegicalsmartness，andI

didn’tgradooateatWestPointasoneofthoseApocryphalEngineers；Idon’tdomuchtalkingabout’flank’movementsor’recognizancesinforce’or’Ekellonskirmishing，’butwhenitcomesdowntosquareInginfightin’，IreckonIkinhavemysay。

Therearemenwhodon’tknowtheArmyContractor，"headdeddarkly，"whomebbehaveheardof’RedJim。’Idon’tmentionnames，gentlemen，butonlytheotherdayamanthatyouallknowsaystome，’IfIonlyknewwhatyoudoaboutscoutin’Iwouldn’tbewantingforinformationasIdo。’Iain’tgoin’tosaywhoitwas，orbreakanyconfidencesbetweengentlemenbysayinghowmanystarshehadonhisshoulderstrap；buthewasamanwhoknewwhathewassaying。AndIsayagin，gentlemen，thatthecurseoftheNorthernArmyisthewantofproperscoutin’。WhatwasitcausedBull’sRun？——Wanto’scoutin’。WhatwasitrolledupPope？——Wanto’

scoutin’。WhatcausedtheslaughterattheWilderness？——Wanto’

scoutin’——Inginscoutin’！Why，onlytheotherday，gentlemen，I

wasapproachedtoknowwhatI’dtaketoorganizeascoutin’force。

AndwhatdidIsay？——’No，General；itain’tbecauseIrepresentoneofthelargestArmyBeefContractsinthiscountry，’saysI。’Itain’tbecauseIbelong，sotospeak，tothe"SinewsofWar；"butbecauseI’dwantabouttenthousandtrainedInginsfromtheReservations！’AndtheregularWestPoint，high-toned，scientificinkybusthatweighssoheavilyonourarmydon’tseeit——andwon’thaveit！ThenSherman，heseztome"——

Butherearoaroflaughterinterruptedhim，andinthecrossfireofsarcasticinterrogationsthatbeganBrantsaw，withrelief，achanceofescape。Forinthevoice，manner，and，aboveall，thecharacteristictemperamentofthestranger，hehadrecognizedhisoldplaymateandthehusbandofSusy，——theredoubtableJimHooker！

Therewasnomistakingthatgloomyaudacity；thatmysterioussignificance；thatmagnificentlying。ButevenatthatmomentClarenceBrant’shearthadgoneout，withallhisoldloyaltyoffeeling，towardshisoldcompanion。HeknewthatapublicrecognitionofhimthenandtherewouldplungeHookerintoconfusion；hefeltkeenlytheironicalplauditsandlaughterofhisofficersoverthemanifestweaknessandvanityoftheex-teamster，ex-rancher，ex-actor，andhusbandofhisoldgirlsweetheart，andwouldhavesparedhimtheknowledgethathehadoverheardit。

Turninghastilytotheorderly，hebadehimbringthestrangertohisheadquarters，androdeawayunperceived。

Hehadheardenough，however，toaccountforhispresencethere，andthesingularchancethathadbroughtthemagaintogether。HewasevidentlyoneofthoselargecivilcontractorsofsupplieswhomtheGovernmentwasobligedtoemploy，whovisitedthecamphalfofficially，andwhomthearmyalternatelydependeduponandabused。

BranthaddealtwithhisunderlingsintheCommissariat，andevennowrememberedthathehadheardhewascoming，buthadoverlookedthesignificanceofhisname。Buthowhecametoleavehistheatricalprofession，howhehadattainedapositionwhichimpliedacommandofconsiderablecapital——formanyofthecontractorshadalreadyamassedlargefortunes——andwhathadbecomeofSusyandherambitionsinthisradicalchangeofcircumstances，werethingsstilltobelearned。Inhisownchangedconditionshehadseldomthoughtofher；itwaswithastrangefeelingofirritationandhalfresponsibilitythathenowrecalledtheirlastinterviewandtheemotiontowhichhehadyielded。

Hehadnotlongtowait。HehadscarcelyregainedthequartersathisownprivateofficebeforeheheardthestepoftheorderlyupontheverandaandthetrailingclankofHooker’ssabre。Hedidnotknow，however，thatHooker，withoutrecognizinghisname，hadreceivedthemessageasapersonaltribute，andhadlefthissarcasticcompanionstriumphantly，withtheairofgoingtoaconfidentialinterview，towhichhiswell-knownmilitarycriticismhadentitledhim。Itwaswithabearingofgloomyimportanceandhischaracteristic，sullen，sidelongglancethatheenteredtheapartmentanddidnotlookupuntilBranthadsignaledtheorderlytowithdraw，andclosedthedoorbehindhim。Andthenherecognizedhisoldboyishcompanion——thepreferredfavoriteoffortune！

Foramomenthegaspedwithastonishment。Foramomentgloomyincredulity，suspicion，delight，pride，admiration，evenaffection，struggledformasteryinhissullen，staringeyesandopen，twitchingmouth。ForherewasClarenceBrant，handsomerthanever，moresuperiorthanever，inthemajestyofuniformandauthoritywhichfittedhim——theyoungerman——byreasonofhisfouryearsofactiveservice，withthecarelesseaseandbearingoftheveteran！

Herewastheherowhosenamewasalreadysofamousthatthemerecoincidenceofitwiththatofthemodestcivilianhehadknownwouldhavestruckhimaspreposterous。Yetherehewas——supreme，anddazzling——surroundedbythepompandcircumstanceofwar——intowhosereservedpresencehe，JimHooker，hadbeenusheredwiththeformalityofchallenge，saluting，andpresentedbayonets！

Luckily，Branthadtakenadvantageofhisfirstgratifiedejaculationtoshakehimwarmlybythehand，andthen，withbothhandslaidfamiliarlyonhisshoulder，forcehimdownintoachair。

Luckily，forbythattimeJimHookerhad，withcharacteristicgloominess，foundtimetotastethepangsofenvy——anenvythemorekeensince，inspiteofhissuccessasapeacefulcontractor，hehadalwayssecretlylongedformilitarydisplayanddistinction。

Helookedatthemanwhohadachievedit，ashefirmlybelieved，bysheerluckandaccident，andhiseyesdarkened。Then，withcharacteristicweaknessandvanity，hebegantoresisthisfirstimpressionsofClarence’ssuperiority，andtoairhisownimportance。Heleanedheavilybackinthechairinwhichhehadbeenthusgeniallyforced，drewoffhisgauntletandattemptedtothrustitthroughhisbelt，ashehadseenBrantdo，butfailedonaccountofhispistolsalreadyoccupyingthatposition，droppedit，gothisswordbetweenhislegsinattemptingtopickitup，andthenleanedbackagain，withhalf-closedeyesserenelyindifferentofhisoldcompanion’ssmilingface。

"Ireckon，"hebeganslowly，withaslightlypatronizingair，"thatwe’dhavemet，soonerorlater，atWashington，oratGrant’sheadquarters，forHooker，Meacham&Co。goeverywhere，andareaboutaswellknownasmajor-generals，tosaynothin’，"hewenton，withasidelongglanceatBrant’sshoulder-straps，"ofbrigadiers；

andit’sratherstrange——only，ofcourse，you’rekindoffreshintheservice——thatyouain’theardofmeafore。"

"ButI’mverygladtohearofyounow，Jim，"saidBrant，smiling，"andfromyourownlips——whichIamalsodelightedtofind，"headdedmischievously，"arestillasfranklycommunicativeonthattopicasofold。ButIcongratulateyou，oldfellow，onyourgoodfortune。Whendidyouleavethestage？"

Mr。Hookerfrownedslightly。

"Ineverwasreallyonthestage，youknow，"hesaid，wavinghishandwithassumednegligence。"Onlywentontopleasemywife。

Mrs。Hookerwouldn’tactwithvulgarprofessionals，don’tyousee！

Iwasreallymanagermostofthetime，andlesseeofthetheatre。

WentEastwhenthewarbrokeout，tooffermyswordandknowledgeofInginfightin’toUncleSam！DriftedintoabigporkcontractatSt。Louis，withFremont。Beenatiteversince。Offeredacommissioninthereg’larservicelotso’times。Refused。"

"Why？"askedBrantdemurely。

"ToomuchWestPointstarcharoundtosuitME，"returnedHookerdarkly。"Andtoomanyspies！"

"Spies？"echoedBrantabstractedly，withamomentaryreminiscenceofMissFaulkner。

"Yes，spies，"continuedHooker，withdoggedmystery。"OnehalfofWashingtoniswatchingt’otherhalf，and，fromthePresident’swifedown，mostofthewomenaresecesh！"

Brantsuddenlyfixedhiskeeneyesonhisguest。ButthenextmomenthereflectedthatthiswasonlyJimHooker’susualspeech，andpossessednoulteriorsignificance。Hesmiledagain，andsaid，moregently，——

"AndhowisMrs。Hooker？"

Mr。Hookerfixedhiseyesontheceiling，rose，andpretendedtolookoutofthewindow；then，takinghisseatagainbythetable，asiffrontinganimaginaryaudience，andpullingslowlyathisgauntletsaftertheusualtheatricalindicationofperfectsangfroid，said，——

"Thereain’tany！"

"Goodheavens！"saidBrant，withgenuineemotion。"Ibegyourpardon。Really，I"——

"Mrs。Hookerandmearedivorced，"continuedHooker，slightlychanginghisattitude，andleaningheavilyonhissabre，withhiseyesstillonhisfancifulaudience。"Therewas，youunderstand"——

lightlytossinghisgauntletaside——"incompatibilityoftemper——

and——we——parted！Ha！"

Heutteredalow，bitter，scornfullaugh，which，however，producedthedistinctimpressioninBrant’smindthatuptothatmomenthehadneverhadtheslightestfeelinginthematterwhatever。

"Youseemedtobeonsuchgoodtermswitheachother！"murmuredBrantvaguely。

"Seemed！"saidHookerbitterly，glancingsardonicallyatanidealsecondrowinthepitbeforehim，"yes——seemed！Therewereotherdifferences，socialandpolitical。Youunderstandthat；youhavesuffered，too。"HereachedouthishandandpressedBrant’s，inheavyeffusiveness。"But，"hecontinuedhaughtily，lightlytossinghisgloveagain，"wearealsomenoftheworld；weletthatpass。"

Anditwaspossiblethathefoundthestrainofhispresentattitudetoogreat，forhechangedtoaneasierposition。

"But，"saidBrantcuriously，"IalwaysthoughtthatMrs。HookerwasintenselyUnionandNorthern？"

"Puton！"saidHooker，inhisnaturalvoice。

"Butyouremembertheincidentoftheflag？"persistedBrant。

"Mrs。Hookerwasalwaysanactress，"saidHookersignificantly。

"But，"headdedcheerfully，"Mrs。HookerisnowthewifeofSenatorBoompointer，oneofthewealthiestandmostpowerfulRepublicansinWashington——carriesthepatronageofthewholeWestinhisvestpocket。"

"Yet，ifsheisnotaRepublican，whydidshe"——beganBrant。

"Forapurpose，"repliedHookerdarkly。"But，"headdedagain，withgreatercheerfulness，"shebelongstotheveryeliteofWashingtonsociety。Goestoalltheforeignambassadors’balls，andisapowerattheWhiteHouse。Herpictureisinallthefirst-classillustratedpapers。"

Thesingularbutunmistakableprideofthemanintheimportanceofthewifefromwhomhewasdivorced，andforwhomhedidnotcare，wouldhaveoffendedBrant’sdelicacy，oratleasthaveexcitedhisridicule，butforthereasonthathewasmoredeeplystungbyHooker’sallusiontohisownwifeandhisdegradingsimilitudeoftheirtwoconditions。ButhedismissedtheformeraspartofHooker’sinvincibleandstillboyishextravagance，andthelatteraspartofhisequallycharacteristicassumption。Perhapshewasconscious，too，notwithstandingthelapseofyearsandthecondonationofseparationandforgetfulness，thathedeservedlittledelicacyfromthehandsofSusy’shusband。Nevertheless，hedreadedtohearhimspeakagainofher；andthefearwasrealizedinaquestion。

"Doessheknowyouarehere？"

"Who？"saidBrantcurtly。

"Yourwife。Thatis——Ireckonshe’syourwifestill，eh？"

"Yes；butIdonotknowwhatsheknows，"returnedBrantquietly。

Hehadregainedhisself-composure。

"Susy，——Mrs。SenatorBoompointer，thatis，"——saidHooker，withanapparentdignityinhislatewife’snewtitle，"allowedthatshe’dgoneabroadonasecretmissionfromtheSouthernConfederacytothemcrownedheadsoverthere。Shewasgoodatropin’menin，youknow。Anyhow，Susy，aforeshewasMrs。Boompointer，wasdeadsetonfindin’outwhereshewas，butnevercould。Sheseemedtodropoutofsightayearago。Somesaidonething，andsomesaidanother。ButyoucanbetyourbottomdollarthatMrs。SenatorBoompointer，whoknowshowtopullallthewiresinWashington，willknow，ifanyonedoes。"

"ButisMrs。Boompointerreallydisaffected，andaSouthernsympathizer？"saidBrant，"orisitonlycapriceorfashion？"

Whilespeakinghehadrisen，withahalf-abstractedface，andhadgonetothewindow，wherehestoodinalisteningattitude。

Presentlyheopenedthewindow，andsteppedoutside。Hookerwonderinglyfollowedhim。Oneortwoofficershadalreadysteppedoutoftheirrooms，andwerestandingupontheveranda；anotherhadhaltedinthepath。Thenonequicklyre-enteredthehouse，reappearedwithhiscapandswordinhishand，andranlightlytowardtheguard-house。Aslightcracklingnoiseseemedtocomefrombeyondthegardenwall。

"What’sup？"saidHooker，withstaringeyes。

"Picketfiring！"

Thecracklingsuddenlybecamealongrattle。Brantre-enteredtheroom，andpickeduphishat。

"You’llexcusemeforafewmoments。"

Afaintsound，softyetfull，andnotunlikeaburstingbubble，madethehouseappeartoleapelastically，likethereboundofarubberball。

"What’sthat？"gaspedHooker。

"Cannon，outofrange！"

CHAPTERV。

Inanotherinstantbugleswereringingthroughthecamp，withthehurryinghoofsofmountedofficersandthetramplingofformingmen。Thehouseitselfwasalmostdeserted。Althoughthesinglecannon-shothadbeenenoughtoshowthatitwasnomereskirmishingofpickets，Brantstilldidnotbelieveinanyseriousattackoftheenemy。Hisposition，asinthepreviousengagement，hadnostrategicimportancetothem；theywerenodoubtonlymakingafeintagainstittoconcealsomeadvanceuponthecentreofthearmytwomilesaway。Satisfiedthathewasineasysupportingdistanceofhisdivisioncommander，heextendedhislinealongtheridge，readytofallbackinthatdirection，whileretardingtheiradvanceandmaskingthepositionofhisownchief。Hegaveafewordersnecessarytotheprobableabandonmentofthehouse，andthenreturnedtoit。Shotandshellwerealreadydroppinginthefieldbelow。Athinridgeofbluehazeshowedthelineofskirmishfire。

Asmallconical，whitecloud，likeaburstingcotton-pod，revealedanopenbatteryinthewillow-fringedmeadow。Yetthepastoralpeacefulnessofthehousewasunchanged。Theafternoonsunlaysoftlyonitsdeepverandas；thepotpourriincenseoffallenrose-

leaveshaunteditstill。

HeenteredhisroomthroughtheFrenchwindowontheveranda，whenthedoorleadingfromthepassagewassuddenlyflungopen，andMissFaulknersweptquicklyinside，closedthedoorbehindher，andleanedbackagainstit，pantingandbreathless。

Clarencewasstartled，andforamomentashamed。Hehadsuddenlyrealizedthatintheexcitementhehadentirelyforgottenherandthedangerstowhichshemightbeexposed。Shehadprobablyheardthefiring，herwomanlyfearshadbeenawakened；shehadcometohimforprotection。Butasheturnedtowardsherwithareassuringsmile，hewasshockedtoseethatheragitationandpallorwerefarbeyondanyphysicalcause。Shemotionedhimdesperatelytoshutthewindowbywhichhehadentered，andsaid，withwhitelips，——

"Imustspeakwithyoualone！"

"Certainly。Butthereisnoimmediatedangertoyouevenhere——andIcansoonputyoubeyondthereachofanypossibleharm。"

"Harm——tome！God！ifitwereonlythat！"

Hestaredatheruneasily。

"Listen，"shesaidgaspingly，"listentome！Thenhate，despiseme——killmeifyouwill。Foryouarebetrayedandruined——cutoffandsurrounded！Ithasbeenhelpedonbyme，butIsweartoyoutheblowdidnotcomefromMYhand。Iwouldhavesavedyou。Godonlyknowshowithappened——itwasFate！"

InaninstantBrantsawthewholetruthinstinctivelyandclearly。

Butwiththerevelationcametheusualcalmnessandperfectself-

possessionwhichneveryethadfailedhiminanyemergency。Withthesoundoftheincreasingcannonadeanditsshiftingpositionmadeclearertohisears，theviewofhiswholethreatenedpositionspreadoutlikeamapbeforehiseyes，theswiftcalculationofthetimehismencouldholdtheridgeinhismind——evenahurriedestimateofthepreciousmomentshecouldgivetothewretchedwomanbeforehim——heeventhen，gravelyandgently，ledhertoachairandsaidinacalmvoice，——

"Thatisnotenough！Speakslowly，plainly。Imustknoweverything。Howandinwhatwayhaveyoubetrayedme？"

Shelookedathimimploringly——reassured，yetawedbyhisgentleness。

"Youwon’tbelieveme；youcannotbelieveme！forIdonotevenknow。Ihavetakenandexchangedletters——whosecontentsIneversaw——betweentheConfederatesandaspywhocomestothishouse，butwhoisfarawaybythistime。IdiditbecauseIthoughtyouhatedanddespisedmebecauseIthoughtitwasmydutytohelpmycause——becauseyousaiditwas’war’betweenus——butIneverspiedonyou。Iswearit。"

"Thenhowdoyouknowofthisattack？"hesaidcalmly。

Shebrightened，halftimidly，halfhopefully。

"ThereisawindowinthewingofthishousethatoverlookstheslopeneartheConfederatelines。Therewasasignalplacedinit——

notbyme——butIknowitmeantthataslongasitwastheretheplot，whateveritwas，wasnotripe，andthatnoattackwouldbemadeonyouaslongasitwasvisible。ThatmuchIknow，——thatmuchthespyhadtotellme，forwebothhadtoguardthatroominturns。Iwantedtokeepthisdreadfulthingoff——until"——hervoicetrembled，"until，"sheaddedhurriedly，seeinghiscalmeyeswerereadingherverysoul，"untilIwentaway——andforthatpurposeI

withheldsomeofthelettersthatweregivenme。Butthismorning，whileIwasawayfromthehouse，Ilookedbackandsawthatthesignalwasnolongerthere。Someonehadchangedit。Iranback，butIwastoolate——Godhelpme！——asyousee。"

ThetruthflasheduponBrant。Itwashisownhandthathadprecipitatedtheattack。Butalargertruthcametohimnow，likeadazzlinginspiration。Ifhehadthusprecipitatedtheattackbeforetheywereready，therewasachancethatitwasimperfect，andtherewasstillhope。Buttherewasnotraceofthisvisibleinhisfaceashefixedhiseyescalmlyonhers，althoughhispulseswerehaltinginexpectancyashesaid——

"Thenthespyhadsuspectedyou，andchangedit。"

"Oh，no，"shesaideagerly，"forthespywaswithmeandwasfrightenedtoo。Webothranbacktogether——youremember——shewasstoppedbythepatrol！"

Shecheckedherselfsuddenly，buttoolate。Hercheeksblazed，herheadsank，withthefoolishidentificationofthespyintowhichhereagernesshadbetrayedher。

ButBrantappearednottonoticeit。Hewas，infact，puzzlinghisbraintoconceivewhatinformationthestupidmulattowomancouldhaveobtainedhere。Hisstrength，hispositionwasnosecrettotheenemy——therewasnothingtogainfromhim。Shemusthavebeen，likethetrembling，eagerwomanbeforehim，ameretoolofothers。

"Didthiswomanlivehere？"hesaid。

"No，"shesaid。"ShelivedwiththeManlys，buthadfriendswhomshevisitedatyourgeneral’sheadquarters。"

WithdifficultyBrantsuppressedastart。Itwascleartohimnow。

Theinformationhadbeenobtainedatthedivisionheadquarters，andpassedthroughhiscampasbeingnearesttheConfederatelines。

Butwhatwastheinformation——andwhatmovementhadheprecipitated？

Itwasclearthatthiswomandidnotknow。Helookedatherkeenly。

Asuddenexplosionshookthehouse，——adriftofsmokepassedthewindow，——ashellhadburstinthegarden。

Shehadbeengazingathimdespairingly，wistfully——butdidnotblanchorstart。

Anideatookpossessionofhim。Heapproachedher，andtookhercoldhand。Ahalf-smilepartedherpalelips。

"Youhavecourage——youhavedevotion，"hesaidgravely。"Ibelieveyouregretthestepyouhavetaken。Ifyoucouldundowhatyouhavedone，evenatperiltoyourself，dareyoudoit？"

"Yes，"shesaidbreathlessly。

"Youareknowntotheenemy。IfIamsurrounded，youcouldpassthroughtheirlinesunquestioned？"

"Yes，"shesaideagerly。

"Anotefrommewouldpassyouagainthroughthepicketsofourheadquarters。Butyouwouldbearanotetothegeneralthatnoeyesbuthismustsee。Itwouldnotimplicateyouoryours；wouldonlybeawordofwarning。"

"Andyou，"shesaidquickly，"wouldbesaved！Theywouldcometoyourassistance！Youwouldnotthenbetaken？"

Hesmiledgently。

"Perhaps——whoknows！"

Hesatdownandwrotehurriedly。

"This，"hesaid，handingheraslipofpaper，"isapass。Youwilluseitbeyondyourownlines。Thisnote，"hecontinued，handingherasealedenvelope，"isforthegeneral。Nooneelsemustseeitorknowofit——notevenyourlover，shouldyoumeethim！"

"Mylover！"shesaidindignantly，withaflashofheroldsavagery；

"whatdoyoumean？Ihavenolover！"

Brantglancedatherflushedface。

"Ithought，"hesaidquietly，"thattherewassomeoneyoucaredforinyonderlines——someoneyouwroteto。Itwouldhavebeenanexcuse"——

Hestopped，asherfacepaledagain，andherhandsdroppedheavilyatherside。

"GoodGod！——youthoughtthat，too！YouthoughtthatIwouldsacrificeyouforanotherman！"

"Pardonme，"saidBrantquickly。"Iwasfoolish。Butwhetheryourloverisamanoracause，youhaveshownawoman’sdevotion。And，inrepairingyourfault，youareshowingmorethanawoman’scouragenow。"

Tohissurprise，thecolorhadagainmountedherprettycheeks，andevenaflashofmischiefshoneinherblueeyes。

"Itwouldhavebeenanexcuse，"shemurmured，"yes——tosaveaman，surely！"Thenshesaidquickly，"Iwillgo。Atonce！Iamready！"

"Onemoment，"hesaidgravely。"Althoughthispassandanescortinsureyourprobablesafeconduct，thisis’war’anddanger！Youarestillaspy！Areyoureadytogo？"

"Iam，"shesaidproudly，tossingbackabraidofherfallenhair。

Yetamomentaftershehesitated。Thenshesaid，inalowervoice，"Areyoureadytoforgive？"

"Ineithercase，"hesaid，touchedbyhermanner；"andGodspeedyou！"

Heextendedhishand，andleftaslightpressureonhercoldfingers。Buttheyslippedquicklyfromhisgrasp，andsheturnedawaywithaheightenedcolor。

Hesteppedtothedoor。Oneortwoaides-de-camp，withheldbyhisorderagainstintrusion，werewaitingeagerlywithreports。Thehorseofamountedfieldofficerwaspawingthegardenturf。Theofficersstaredattheyounggirl。

"TakeMissFaulkner，withaflag，tosomesafepointoftheenemy’sline。Sheisanon-combatantoftheirown，andwillreceivetheirprotection。"

Hehadscarcelyexchangedadozenwordswiththeaides-de-campbeforethefieldofficerhurriedlyentered。TakingBrantaside，hesaidquickly，——

"Pardonme，General；butthereisastrongfeelingamongthementhatthisattackistheresultofsomeinformationobtainedbytheenemy。Youmustknowthatthewomanyouhavejustgivenasafeguardtoissuspected，andthemenareindignant。"

"Themorereasonwhysheshouldbeconveyedbeyondanyconsequencesoftheirfolly，Major，"saidBrantfrigidly，"andIlooktoyouforhersafeconvoy。Thereisnothinginthisattacktoshowthattheenemyhasreceivedanyinformationregardingus。ButIwouldsuggestthatitwouldbebettertoseethatmyordersarecarriedoutregardingtheslavesandnon-combatantswhoarepassingourlinesfromdivisionalheadquarters，wherevaluableinformationmaybeobtained，thaninthesurveillanceofatestyandoutspokengirl。"

Anangryflushcrossedthemajor’scheekashesalutedandfellback，andBrantturnedtotheaide-de-camp。Thenewswasgrave。

Thecolumnoftheenemywasmovingagainsttheridge——itwasnolongerpossibletoholdit——andthebrigadewascutofffromitscommunicationwiththedivisionalheadquarters，althoughasyetnocombinedmovementwasmadeagainstit。Brant’ssecretfearsthatitwasanintendedimpactagainstthecentrewereconfirmed。Wouldhiscommunicationtothedivisionalcommanderpassthroughtheattackingcolumnintime？

Yetonethingpuzzledhim。Theenemy，afterforcinghisflank，hadshownnodisposition，evenwiththeiroverwhelmingforce，toturnasideandcrushhim。Hecouldeasilyhavefallenback，whenitwaspossibletoholdtheridgenolonger，withoutpursuit。Hisotherflankandrearwerenotthreatened，astheymighthavebeen，bythedivisionofsolargeanattackingcolumn，whichwasmovingsteadilyontowardstheridge。Itwasthisfactthatseemedtoshowafailureorimperfectionintheenemy’splan。Itwaspossiblethathisprecipitationoftheattackbythechangedsignalhadbeenthecauseofit。Doubtlesssomeprovisionhadbeenmadetoattackhiminflankandrear，butintheunexpectedhurryoftheonsetithadtobeabandoned。Hecouldstillsavehimself，ashisofficersknew；buthisconvictionthathemightyetbeabletosupporthisdivisionalcommanderbyholdinghispositiondoggedly，butcoollyawaitinghisopportunity，wasstrong。Morethanthat，itwashistemperamentandinstinct。

Harryingtheminflankandrear，contestingthegroundinchbyinch，andholdinghisownagainsttheartillerysenttodislodgehim，ortheoutridingcavalrythat，circlinground，sweptthroughhisopenranks，hesawhisfilesmeltawaybesidethissteadycurrentwithoutflinching。

CHAPTERVI。

Yetallalongthefatefulridge——nowobscuredandconfusedwiththincrossingsmoke-driftsfromfile-firing，likepartlyrubbed-outslate-pencilmarks；orelse，whenclearedofthosedrifts，presentingonlyanindistinguishablemapofzigzaglinesofstragglingwagonsandhorses，unintelligibletoanyeyebuthis——

thesingularmagnetismofthechiefwasfelteverywhere：whetheritwasshowninthequickclosinginofresistancetosomesharperonsetoftheenemyorthemoredoggedstandofinactionunderfire，hispowerwasalwaysdominant。Awordortwoofcomprehensivedirectionsentthroughanaide-de-camp，orthesuddenreliefofhisdark，watchful，composedfaceupliftedabovealineofbayonets，neverfailedintheirmagic。Likeallbornleaders，heseemedintheseemergenciestoholdacharmedlife——infectinghisfollowerswithalikedisbeliefindeath；mendroppedtorightandleftofhimwithsereneassuranceintheirghastlyfacesoracryoflifeandconfidenceintheirlastgasp。Stragglersfellinandclosedupunderhispassingglance；ahopeless，inextricablewranglearoundanoverturnedcaisson，ataturnoftheroad，resolveditselfintoanorderly，quiet，deliberateclearingawayoftheimpedimentbeforethesignificantwaitingofthatdark，silenthorseman。

Yetunderthisimperturbablemaskhewaskeenlyconsciousofeverything；inthatapparentconcentrationtherewasasharpeningofallhissensesandhisimpressibility：hesawthefirsttraceofdoubtoralarminthefaceofasubalterntowhomhewasgivinganorder；thefirsttouchofsluggishnessinare-formingline；themoresignificantclumsinessofalivingevolutionthatheknewwascloggedbythedeadbodiesofcomrades；theominoussilenceofabreastwork；theawfulinertiaofsomerigidlykneelingfilesbeyond，whichstillkepttheirformbutneverwouldmoveagain；themeltingawayofskirmishpoints；thesuddengapshereandthere；

thesickeningincurvingofwhatamomentbeforehadbeenastraightline——allthesehesawinalltheirfatalsignificance。Butevenatthismoment，cominguponahastybarricadeofoversetcommissarywagons，hestoppedtoglanceatafamiliarfigurehehadseenbutanhourago，whonowseemedtobecommandingagroupofcollectedstragglersandcampfollowers。Mountedonawheel，witharevolverineachhandandabowieknifebetweenhisteeth——theatricaleveninhisparoxysmofundoubtedcourage——glaredJimHooker。AndClarenceBrant，withthewholeresponsibilityofthefieldonhisshoulders，evenatthatdesperatemoment，foundhimselfrecallingavividpictureoftheactorHookerpersonatingthecharacterof"RedDick"in"Rosalie，thePrairieFlower，"ashehadseenhiminaCaliforniatheatrefiveyearsbefore。

Itwantedstillanhourofthedarknessthatwouldprobablyclosethefightofthatday。Couldheholdout，keepinghisoffensivepositionsolong？Ahastycouncilwithhisofficersshowedhimthattheweaknessoftheirpositionhadalreadyinfectedthem。

Theyremindedhimthathislineofretreatwasstillopen——thatinthecourseofthenighttheenemy，althoughstillpressingtowardsthedivisioncentre，mightyetturnandoutflankhim——orthattheirstrangelydelayedsupportsmightcomeupbeforemorning。Brant’sglass，however，remainedfixedonthemaincolumn，stillpursuingitswayalongtheridge。Itstruckhimsuddenly，however，thatthesteadycurrenthadstopped，spreadoutalongthecrestonbothsides，andwasnowatrightangleswithitspreviouscourse。Therehadbeenacheck！Thenextmomentthethunderofgunsalongthewholehorizon，andtherisingcloudofsmoke，revealedalineofbattle。Thedivisioncentrewasengaged。Theopportunityhehadlongedforhadcome——thedesperatechancetothrowhimselfontheirrearandcuthiswaythroughtothedivision——butithadcometoolate！Helookedathisshatteredranks——scarcearegimentremained。

Evenasademonstration，theattackwouldfailagainsttheenemy’ssuperiornumbers。Nothingclearlywaslefttohimnowbuttoremainwherehewas——withinsupportingdistance，andawaittheissueofthefightbeyond。Hewasputtinguphisglass，whenthedullboomofcannonintheextremewesternlimitofthehorizonattractedhisattention。Bythestillgleamingskyhecouldseealonggraylinestealingupfromthevalleyfromthedistantrearoftheheadquarterstojointhemaincolumn。Theywerethemissingsupports！Hisheartleaped。Heheldthekeyofthemysterynow。Theoneimperfectdetailoftheenemy’splanwasbeforehim。Thesupports，cominglaterfromthewest，hadonlyseenthesecondsignalfromthewindow——whenMissFaulknerhadreplacedthevase——andhadavoidedhisposition。Itwasimpossibletolimittheeffectofthisblunder。Iftheyounggirlwhohadthussavedhimhadreachedthedivisioncommanderwithhismessageintime，hemightbeforewarned，andevenprofitbyit。Hisownpositionwouldbelessprecarious，astheenemy，alreadyengagedinfront，wouldbeunabletorecovertheirpositionintherearandcorrecttheblunder。Thebulkoftheircolumnhadalreadystreamedpasthim。Ifdefeated，therewasalwaysthedangerthatitmightberolledbackuponhim——butheconjecturedthatthedivisioncommanderwouldattempttopreventthejunctionofthesupportswiththemaincolumnbybreakingbetweenthem，crowdingthemfromtheridge，andjoininghim。Asthelaststragglersoftherearguardsweptby，Brant’sbugleswerealreadyrecallingtheskirmishers。Heredoubledhispickets，andresolvedtowaitandwatch。

Andtherewasthemorepainfuldutyoflookingafterthewoundedandthedead。Thelargerroomsoftheheadquartershadalreadybeenusedasahospital。Passingfromcottocot，recognizinginthefacesnowdrawnwithagony，orstaringinvacantunconsciousness，thefeaturesthathehadseenonlyafewhoursbeforeflushedwithenthusiasmandexcitement，somethingofhisolddoubting，questioningnaturereturned。Wastherenowaybutthis？HowfarwasHE——movingamongthemunscathedanduninjured——responsible？

Andifnothe——whothen？Hismindwentbackbitterlytotheolddaysoftheconspiracy——totheinceptionofthatstrugglewhichwasbearingsuchghastlyfruit。Hethoughtofhistraitorouswife，untilhefelthischeekstingle，andhewasfaintoaverthiseyesfromthoseofhisprostratecomrades，inastrangefearthat，withtheclairvoyanceofdyingmen，theyshouldreadhissecret。

Itwaspastmidnightwhen，withoutundressing，hethrewhimselfuponhisbedinthelittleconvent-likecelltosnatchafewmomentsofsleep。Itsspotless，peacefulwallsanddraperiesaffectedhimstrangely，asifhehadbroughtintoitsimmaculateserenitythesanguinestainofwar。Hewasawakenedsuddenlyfromadeepslumberbyanindefinitesenseofalarm。Hisfirstthoughtwasthathehadbeensummonedtorepelanattack。Hesatupandlistened；everythingwassilentexceptthemeasuredtreadofthesentryonthegravelwalkbelow。Butthedoorwasopen。Hesprangtohisfeetandslippedintothegalleryintimetoseethetallfigureofawomanglidebeforethelastmoonlitwindowatitsfarthestend。Hecouldnotseeherface——butthecharacteristicturbanedheadofthenegroracewasplainlyvisible。

Hedidnotcaretofollowheroreventoalarmtheguard。Ifitwerethespyoroneofheremissaries，shewaspowerlessnowtodoanyharm，andunderhislateordersandtherigorousvigilanceofhissentinelsshecouldnotleavethelines——or，indeed，thehouse。

Sheprobablyknewthisaswellashedid；itwas，therefore，nodoubtonlyanaccidentalintrusionofoneoftheservants。Here-enteredtheroom，andstoodforafewmomentsbythewindow，lookingoverthemoonlitridge。Thesoundsofdistantcannonhadlongsinceceased。Wideawake，andrefreshedbythekeenmorningair，whichaloneofallcreatedthingsseemedtohaveshakentheburdenofthedreadfulyesterdayfromitsdewywings，heturnedawayandlitacandleonthetable。Ashewasrebucklinghisswordbelthesawapieceofpaperlyingonthefootofthebedfromwhichhehadjustrisen。Takingittothecandle，hereadinaroughlyscrawledhand：

"Youareasleepwhenyoushouldbeonthemarch。Youhavenotimetolose。Beforedaybreakthesupportsofthecolumnyouhavebeenfoolishlyresistingwillbeuponyou。——FromonewhowouldsaveYOU，buthatesyourcause。"

Asmileofscornpassedhislips。Thehandwritingwasunknownandevidentlydisguised。Thepurportofthemessagehadnotalarmedhim；butsuddenlyasuspicionflasheduponhim——thatitcamefromMissFaulkner！Shehadfailedinherattempttopassthroughtheenemy’slines——orshehadnevertriedto。Shehaddeceivedhim——orhadthoughtbetterofherchivalrousimpulse，andnowsoughttomitigatehersecondtreacherybythissecondwarning。Andhehadlethermessengerescapehim！

Hehurriedlydescendedthestairs。Thesoundofvoiceswasapproachinghim。Hehalted，andrecognizedthefacesofthebrigadesurgeonandoneofhisaides-de-camp。

"Wewerehesitatingwhethertodisturbyou，general，butitmaybeanaffairofsomeimportance。Underyourordersanegrowomanwasjustnowchallengedstealingoutofthelines。Attemptingtoescape，shewaschased，therewasastruggleandscrambleoverthewall，andshefell，strikingherhead。Shewasbroughtintotheguardhouseunconscious。"

"Verygood。Iwillseeher，"saidBrant，withafeelingofrelief。

"Onemoment，general。Wethoughtyouwouldperhapsprefertoseeheralone，"saidthesurgeon，"forwhenIendeavoredtobringherto，andwasspongingherfaceandheadtodiscoverherinjuries，hercolorcameoff！Shewasawhitewoman——stainedanddisguisedasamulatto。"

ForaninstantBrant’sheartsank。ItwasMissFaulkner。

"Didyourecognizeher？"hesaid，glancingfromtheonetotheother。"Haveyouseenherherebefore？"

"No，sir，"repliedtheaide-de-camp。"Butsheseemedtobequiteasuperiorwoman——alady，Ishouldsay。"

Brantbreathedmorefreely。

"Whereisshenow？"heasked。

"Intheguardhouse。Wethoughtitbetternottobringherintohospital，amongthemen，untilwehadyourorders。"

"Youhavedonewell，"returnedBrantgravely。"Andyouwillkeepthistoyourselvesforthepresent；butseethatsheisbroughtherequietlyandwithaslittlepublicityaspossible。Putherinmyroomabove，whichIgiveuptoherandanynecessaryattendant。

Butyouwilllookcarefullyafterher，doctor，"——heturnedtothesurgeon，——"andwhensherecoversconsciousnessletmeknow。"

Hemovedaway。Althoughattachinglittleimportancetothemysteriousmessage，whethersentbyMissFaulkneroremanatingfromthestrangerherself，which，hereasoned，wasbasedonlyuponaknowledgeoftheoriginalplanofattack，heneverthelessquicklydispatchedasmallscoutingpartyinthedirectionfromwhichtheattackmightcome，withorderstofallbackandreportatonce。