“I was wondering if the Intelligence Department had reason to believe we had spies with us in this army of invasion,” smiled the Overton girl. She observed a quick flash in the eyes of the Intelligence officer, followed by an expression of inquiry there. 71 “We will be seated now, if you please. Sorry, Mrs. Gray, that we can offer you nothing better than a board to sit on.” 71 “A board for a seat is luxury compared with what we have had for the last several evenings. Miss Briggs and myself have been dining sitting on a cellar floor,” replied Grace brightly, taking a seat at the right of the general, Elfreda being placed between Captain Boucher and Major Colt on the opposite side of the table. “To return to your hike, I am very sorry that you did not inform me of the difficulty. Was the action taken without notice to you?” “Yes, sir.” “What led up to it? Had you any conversation with Mrs. Smythe last evening?” “Not last evening. I had this morning. It was this way, sir. I went to her headquarters and tried to get her to see the matter in a right light and at the same time to warn her that I could tolerate no further insults from her. I should prefer to say nothing about it, for I do not like to talk behind a person’s back, much preferring to speak out when that person is present and can answer.” “So I observed the other day. I don’t know about finding another car for you, but in any event I will see that you and Miss Briggs have72 places in an officer’s car for the rest of the journey.” 72 “Have you ever been up in the air, Mrs. Gray?” interjected Major Colt. Grace said she had, and related her experience when on a flight with Hippy Wingate, which interested and amused the officers very much. “Never been in an observation balloon?” questioned the major. “No, sir.” “With the general’s permission, I should be glad to have you go up with me, and Miss Briggs too, though she would have to go in another car or else wait until a later date, for the basket is not roomy enough for so many.” “If I am permitted to say so without offense, I believe I should prefer to
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