San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-23

When Peyton Fitzhugh had found
Carroll Meredith's night-key, left him
in his room, and turned once more into
the night, he muttered to himself:
"a gentleman in soul, with big
heartl God forgive the poor fellow
and mel But had to do it,
Pulling his soft hat down over his
face, and throwing the collar of his
long ulster high about it, the spy STROBE
rapidly through the deserted streets,
turned into an alley-way, and halted
before low arch, where a sentry
walked lazily. The man came to a
carry, and the spy, passing him unques-
toned, mounted the steps to a dim-lit
hall, where an orderly dozed at desk.
"Major in, Caspar?" he asked, abrupt
1y, and, receiving answer, tapped at
door labeled "adjutant general" As
he entered, a slight, boyish officer
glanced up from dispatches littering his
desk. ..ssa.--ss .. ~ s-.Es.2ss.zSezaRsaz..-
! ssO-""pm! you're on time" he said,
abruptly, as the neighboring clock
changed out for midnight. "A minute
later, you had found the Office shut"
81 said would be here by twelve,
major" the spy answered. Il was de-
tanned by duty Any orders for me,
sir?"
None. Important news from your
general, though; SO Washington wires
me. He failed to strike Stuart's ad-
vance, under Rosser, that morning you
guided him to Beckley's crossroads
Tla do, lof
got in his rear
Ibid they strike, sir? Did they cut
the general Off" Fitzhugh asked the
questions eagerly and with strange
CLEAN in his eyes.
''Yes; they struck, and pretty hard,
too. But the general cut his way
through, rather crippled. No, there is
no blame attaching to you, Fitzhugh.
The fault lies with Maj, Conyer's
scout He is under arrest. You seem
to have done your full duty" -
: y tried to do my full duty, SIR The
reply was unwonted in its meekness;
and the spy's eyes were downcast, as he
queried: Where did the general get
out? Has he made the river again?"
Eyes; but some regiments scattered,
and the stragglers come in slowly"
They should be struck in detail
scattered along the river" Fitzhugh
said, slowly, half absently.
Damn, it, sir, you'd better give your
views to Gen. Sheridan" the infantry
major retorted, abruptly. II am not
commanding the cavalry of the army of
the Potomac"
beg pardon, sir" the spy answered,
not raising his eyes, in which the CLEAN
still fingered Am to 60 over? Any
orders for me?"
mo; you are to remain here-proba-
bly, accompany Gen. Baldwin on a
prison-inspection that has been de-
manded by these newspaper meddlers.
Goodnight, Caspar." The major rose,
sorting his papers, the spy turning
slowly to the door, as though regretting
something, when the officer added:
by the way, what is this young fell
low Mckee,"
Nothing, sir" was the prompt an
swer, as FitZhugh glanced quickly at
the questioner. "a society butterfly,
without brains. He is not suspected,
presumed"
"Oh, no. Only, he's always so devil
ish polite to me, for sake of getting
passes where none are needed, that it
amounts to a bore. He talked two
hours and wasted two bottles of wine
tonight to get permits to hunt in Prince
Georges. Good night"
Good night, SIR" the spy answered,
quickly leaving the room and descend
ing to the street.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Willie Mckee had
left the musicale and let himself quiet
ly into the darkened home of his wild
owed mother. Passing softly through
to the stables, he walked his groom.
gave special instructions about feeding
his best horse, and ordered his hunting
trap to be in readiness at two o'clock.
Then, mounting to his own suite, he
laid out his corduroys and boots, Sc
lected Winchester rifle from the sew
eral cases, and, carefully inspecting the
grease on the cartridges, loaded it and
tested the lock.
Next he unlocked a cupboard, taking
thence and slowing in his bird-bag
strange outfit for duck-hunt. There
were carefully tied parcels from the
druggist, hanks of silk and strong fax,
papers Of needles, postage-stamps, and,
last, three large, fat TASKS of brandy
labeled "1S4O," as though to equalize
the outfit Packing finished, Mckee re-
read the passes the federal had lately so
condemned, made some careful memoir
anda in finest writing upon thin sheets
OF paper, and drew an old pipe of briar-
wood from his pocket. Carefully clean
ing the tube, he rolled the papers tight
ly, forced them in, and smeared little
of the nicotine on top, to color the edges