The Washington times., 1895-01-06
PART u-CuAPrER VII.


with sign, Brant turned toward his prison.
ers. The aunty ease, but not the self-posses-
sion, had gone from Lagrange's face; the
eyes OF Capt. Faulkner were fixed on mis-
older conf anion with half humorous look
OF perplexity.
81 am AFRAID l can only repeat, general,
that our foo,hardy freak has put US in coll:-
sion with your sentries." said Lagrange,
with a slight hauteur that replaced his for
mer jauntiness, lard we were very properly
made prisoners. Ii you Will accept my
parole, have no doubt cur commander viii
proceed to exchange a couple OF gallant fel-
lows OF YOURS. whom / have had the honor of
meeting within our own lines, and whom
YOU must probably miss more than l fear our
superiors miss US"
''Whatever brought you here, gentlemen"
said Brant driiY, Il Am glad Tor your sakes
that YOU are in uniform. although 1t does not
unfortunately relieve me of an unpleasant
duty"
Il don't think / understand you, returned
Lagrange. .oldiY.
II vou had not bean in uniform you would
prohaidy have been shot down as spies,
without the trouble Of capture said Brant,
quietly.
do you mean 10 imply. sir" began La
grange. sternly.
II moan TO say that the existence of a
Coincidence spy between this camp and the
division headquarters IS sufficiently well
known to us TO justify the strongest action
And pray. how can that Affect US, said
Lagrange, haUghtily.
II need no. inform 80 ol q soldier as Col.
Lagrange tat the aiding, abe;ting, and even
receiving information from a spy or traitor
within ones lines is an equally dangerous
service
''Perhars YOU would like to satisfy your
self. general said Col. Lagrange, with an
iron cal laugh. pray do not hesitate on
account Of our Uniform. Search US if you
like"
Not on entering my lines, colonel" re-
piled Brant, with Caiet significance.
Lag ange's cheek flushed. But he recov-
cred himself quickly, and, with formal bow.
said: "Gou will then perhaps let me know
your pleasure?'
MY duty. colonel. is 10 keep you both
close prisoners here until have an oppor-
tunity to forward you TO the division COM
mander with a report Of the circumstance OF
your arrest. That i propose TO do. How
soon may have that opporunitY-or if am
ever 10 have it" continued Brant, fixing his
clear eyes significantly on Lagrange, de
pends upon toe chances OF war, which you
probably understand as well as / do.
I'VE should never think Of making any cal
culaticn on the action of an officer of such in
finite resources as Gen. Brant," SAID La
grange. politely.
You will. no doubt. have an opportunity
OF stating Your own case tc the division COM
manJer." continued Brant with Cnmoyed
face ''And," he continued. turning for the
first TINE 10 Capt. Faulkner, when you tell
the commander what | believe to be the fact
from your name and resemblance-thaty you
are relation of the young lazy who for the
las. three weeks has been an inmate OF this
house under a pass from Washington-you
VII. have no doubt. fuyorably explain your
own propinquity 10 my lines.
MY ss:er TillieI" said the young officer,
impusively. "But she is no longer here. She
passed through the lines back to Washington
Yesterday No he added with a light laugh.
a'I'm afraid that excuse won't count for to-
day"
4 sudden frown upon the face Of the elder
officer added to the perfect ingenuOusness Of
Faulkners speech. satisfied Brant that ne
had not only elected the truth, but that Miss
Faulkner had seen successful Nor did he
doult that his suggestion that her relation
ship TO tho young officer would incline the
division commander to look leniently upon
his fauIt-and he felt a singular satisfaction
in thus being able to serve her. OF the real
object OF th two men before him he was con-
WINGED: they were 1.-The friends" of his wife,
who were waiting for her outside the linesi
Chance alone had saved her from being AZ
rested with them with the consequent ex-
posure of her treachery before his own men
who as yet had no proof OF her guilt, nor any
suspicion OF her actual identity. Nor was his
own chance of conveying her with sa ely be-
yuud his lines affected b. this; the prisoners
dare not reveal what they knew OF her. and
it was with grim triumph that be thought
of CON passing her escape without their aid.
Nothing Of this, however. was visible IN his
face, which the younger man watched with
kind OF boyish curiosity. while Col. Lagrange
re .ardeA the ceiling win politely repressed
yGWn. Il regret" concluded Brant, as he
summoned the officer of the guard. that I
shall have to deprive you OF each others COM
pany during the time that you are here; but l
shal see that you. separately, want for moth
ing IN your confinement.
IF this is with view to separate interrog-
atory. general, / can retire now" said La
grange, rising with ironical politeness.
Il believe L have all the information / re-
quire. - returned Brant, wi undisturbed
composure. Giving the necessary orders to
his subaltern. he acknowledged with equal
cain the formal sautes of the two prisoners
as they were led away, and returned quickly
to his bedroom above. He paused instinct
lively for moment before the closed door and
listened. There was no sound from within.
He unlocked the door and opened it.
So quiet was tie interior that for an in
slant. without CHANGING Mt the bed. be east a
quick look at the window, which. TIL then.
he had forgotten. and which he remembered
gave upon the veranda roof. But it was still
closed. and ~ he approached the bed he saw
his wife still living there in the attitude in
which he had left her. But her eyes were
ringed and slightly filmed, as If with recent
tears.
It was. perhaps. this circumstance that
softened his voice, still harsh with command,
as he said:
II suppose you know those two menY'
Eyes"
And that have put it out Of their power
to help you?"
Il do
There was something so strangely subnlis-
siYo IN her voice that he again looked suS-
plc.ousiy At her But be was shocked TO see
that she was quite pale now. and that the fire
had gone cut Of her dark eyes.
Then I may tell you my own-and the
only-plan TO save you. But FIRST, we mus
your donble.
''She is here"
"Here.'
'sYes"
"How do you know it?' ne asked in quick
suspicion.
"She was not to leave this place until she
knew was safe within cur lines l have
some friends who are faithful to me-" Ate
a pause she added: ''She has been her,
already.
He looked at her startled. Impossible
L"
you locked the door. Yes, but she has
second key And even il she had not there i
another entrance from that closet. You d'
not know this house; you have been here tive
weeks l spent two :years Of my life, as