Year: 1868

}.


ties of the situation. "He was the means Of get
ting us thus far into the business, and perhaps ne
NAV have the wit to show us the way out. =.


- McGregor was accordingly sent for, and IN feW
minutes entered the Colonel stent, from winch all
but Victor and himself were excluded. When
Brack's name was mentioned, McGregor made par.
tcular enquiries as to his personal appearance and
when Victor had describedt, he at once exclaimed


''That must be Nicholas Brack, who is a corporal
in my company. He has heretofore proved him
self good soldier, and fol. the last week or two
has frequently benin the city on leave OF absence


regret to hear he is implicated, and am surprised,
NOR and bore hardships and trials well; but it ne
plays the spy he must take his fate. +"


"Now, Lieutenant" observed Colonel Giles,
when Victor had again narrated all that occurred,
'the only difficulty is to trace this affair to its
source. Walsh and Brack are only the agents of
communication with the enemy; this Miss Isolette
is the correspondent. But who is she, and how
shall we trace her out? Do you know any one OF
that name?"


'No one my acquaintance in the city is quite
limited" replied the blue-eyed artillery officer
'But if Brack is to receive dispatch from her at
dusk this evening, it will be easy to keep an eye
where he is to receive the Dispatch and arrest all
parties"


'But there is some danger of miscarriage in
that" suggested Colonel Giles ''The dispatch
may come into his hands 80 secretly that the most
watchful agent we employ may fail to observe it.
He may receive it from some intermediate agent,
some shop-keeper, or from some unsuspected per-
son as he passes along the streets In that case
we shall be as far as ever from this shadowy and
unknown Isolette. What would suggest Is this
do you go over to the city and work like Q mole
among your acquaintances to get clue to this
Sempronia. Ifby sunset you shall have made no
discoveries we can then put couple Of sharp de-
tectves to watch Brack and arrest him at the prop
er moment"


''His leave of absence expires this morning, and
if he is not here to the minute, will make sure OF
him by putting him forthwith under guard, " re-
piled MeGregor. IF we can 10y hands on him he
must not be permitted to leave the camp until near
sunset, and then he must be followed and watched,
by some vigiant man with file of soldiers, to rem
der assistance in making an arrest"


SELF eueuae xHaa aeSs suggested sss ted Colonel Ges
case citizens of standing and respectability are to
be arrested, especially females there should be
some discreet and prudent officer to act


"It would be painful to me to arrest woman,
Colonel, said McGregcr; 'cOuld you not assign this
duty to some one else p


Il can find no one, Lieutenant, who would per;
form an unpleasant duty with more hrmness and
prudence than yourself" replied the Colonel
''Suppose some woman Of standing be implicated,
how many officers are there in camp, think you,
who could be depended on to do their duty? No,
Lieutenant you are the only one could dare trust
in so delicate business"


"And you give me, Colonel, no credit for gallant
ry or softness of heart where the women are con-
cerned p asked McGregor with smile.


II give you credit for this much, Colin," re.
piled the Colonel with emotion, that you would
suffer your heart to be tore out rather thant should
mislead you and that the haughtiest belle in the
city, would be as vile as the street walker in your
eyes if she were so degraded as to sell the blood
and brthright Of her countrymen, for love, OF
gold, or vanity I will trust you and none other
Your heel would crush such an one without re-
morse or pity"


"And Victor" asked McGregor-" shall
he do2" g. :.


'He will go with you; and, young comrade, y
said the Colonel turning to Victor with pleasant
fortune, or Providence rather, has been
propitious to you. Your conduct shall have most
favorable report at headquarters You have car.
ried the trail we'll, and look to see those foxes
soon unearthed, that have done us deal Of harm
In q day or two, important military movements
are to be made, of which it is important that the
enemy should have no intelligence, and we must
root out this nest of spies and informers now OF
never. Write your own orders, Lieutenant, AND
call for as strong detail as you may desre-l give
you carte blanche"


Lieutenant McGregor now rose and took his
leave followcdby Victor. The Lieutenant readily
agreed to the proposal of Victor, that Harvey Ha
ley should be one of the party and Victor was dis
patched to seek him out and deliver him orders to
report for duty forthwith. Harvey was we'll pleased
with any movement that promised activity, and pre-
pared himself readily for trip to the city, al.
though, as yet, he had no definite idea of the ser
vice to be performed there.


"You are in luck, Victor, my boy" said Harvey
to him as they took their way to the quarters Of
Lieutenant McGregor. 1.-THE men are wondering
who you are and what important business the Col
oncl has with you, that you are closeted with hin
so often. You are decidedly in good luck to have
got on such good terms with your Colonel already
and if you keep sharp look out, your fortune viii
be made


"Ah, Harvey" replied the young soldier, there
are no fortunes to be made in this war;


II mean, said Harvey, in explanation OF his
language that you will stand fine chance fora
early promotion. You will soon get it, Victor; rely
on that. u ..,;o;
Victor there are others better entitled to it than
| am. intend to serve in the ranksas o private,
and leave others to lead, whose qualifications arc
far better than mine. Besides this, an offcer's
pay will not support him, and you knowI have nc
means to rely on except my pay.


II know that, too" replied Victor's sanguine
friend "but if the Colonel should throw an ofict
at your head, don't throw it entirely away unit
YOU have talked the matter over with me. l know
the value of an Office for I've been in service onl
enough to know the difference between an officer
even corporal and private Put three bars o.
even one on your collar, and the best houses in tht
land are open to you but swap coats with the pr
vate, who does the marching and the fighting, ano
vou are met at the door with cold look and Q
Short word. But here is Lieutenant McGregor. y
| The Lieutenant was seated on fallen log, with
portfolio on his knee, busted in making out some
report which an orderly had just called tor Hl'
work being soon completed, he rose to his feet
when, to the surprise of Victor, Brack stepped
forward and raising his cap, saluted his Lleuten
ant. >, :.
Brack as he raised his cap, but the calculation!
of the best Of men are disappointed. Ihope l an
excused2 ?"


The Lieutenant gave him glance from his calm
quiet blue eye before which Brack quailed with the
quick consciousness of guilt There was no anger
in the glance-not even reproof-but it was search
ing. deep penetrating and even solemn, such as an
angel might give to guilty and fallen mortal.
| "I hone am excused, Lieutenant" reiterated