Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-09-28
CHAPTER xl.

doorway. A corporal, with a white
chin beard, was bending over me.
Come, Johnny" he said terssly.
"get up you're wanted"
The instinct of soldierly obedience
in which had been SO long trained
caused me to grope my way to my
feet
what time is it, Corporal?" asked
sleepily.
after midnight"
who wishes me?"
Headquarters" he returned brusque.
II. "Come. move on. Fall in, men,"
Our march was short one, and We
soon turned abruptly !: at = wide-
open gateway. High pillars Of brick
stood upon either hand, and the pas.
sage was well lighted BY . brightly
blazing fire Of logs. Two sentries
stood there, and our party passed be.
tween them without uttering word.
AS we moved beyond the radiance I
noted q little knot Of cavalrymen u
lently sitting their horses IN the
shadow Of the high wall. A wide
gravelled walk, bordered. thought,
with flowers. led toward the front door
OF commodious house built after the
colonial type. The lower story seemed
fairly ablaze with lights. and Of tho
head Of the steps az We assembled .
young officer came quickly forward.
els this the prisoner brought In Ia.
nisht7"
The corporal pushed ne forward.
''This IL the man. STR"
Very we'll; hold your command
here until send other orders
He rested one hand, not unkindly.
upon my arm, and his tone instantly
changed from that ot command to gen
eroua courtesy.
'You win accompany me. and pen.
NIT me to advise you. for your own
sake, to be as civil ~ possible in your
answers tonight for the old man -
In one Of his tantrums."
We crossed the rather dimly lfghted
hall, which had . sentry posted It
either end Of It, and then my con.
ductor threw OPEN a side door. and
silently mouoned for mo to enter IN
room. elegant In all its appointments
but my hasty glance revealed only
three occupants. Sitting 1t . hand.
somely polished mahogany writing.
table near the centre Of the apart
ment was short, htoutly built man.
with straggly beard and fierce. stern
eyes. I recognized him 1t once. al
though he wore neither uniform nor
other insignia Of rank. Close beside
him stood colonel Of engineers. pos
s.bly his chief Of staff, while to tho
right, leaning negligently with one
arm on the mantel-shelf above the fire.
place, anG smiling insolently at me-.
was Brennan.
The sight Of him suffened me like
a drink Of brandy, and as the young
aide closed the door in my rear, I
stepped instantly forward to the table,
facing him who I knew must be in
command. and removing my hat. sa-
luted.
''This is the prisoner you sent for.
SIR" announced the aide.
The officer, who remained seated.
looked at me intently.
"Have ever met you before?" hO
questioned, as though doubling his
memory.
"You have. General Sheridan re-
piled. II was with General Early
during your conference at White
Horse Tavern. / also bore flag to
you after the cayalry skirmish at VIII
sons Ford
Il remember" shortly, and as he
spoke he wheeled In his chair to face
Brennan.
Il thought you reported this Off
Ger ~ . spy" he said sternly. HE
10 In uniform. and doubtless told you
his name and rank"
II certainly had every reason to BE-
lieve he penetrated our lines in dis
gufse." was the instant reply. This
cavalry cloak was found with him, and
consequently naturally supposed his
claim Of rank to be false"
Sheridan looked annoyed, yet turned
back to me without administering the,
sharp ssess:::kc wh!ch seemed burning
upon his lips.
Were you wearing that cavalry
cloak within our Nnes!" he questioned
sternly.
Il was not, sir: It was indeed lying
upon the floor Of the hut when Major
Brennan entered, but had nothing 10
do with IT,
He gazed ct me searchingly for .
moment In silence.