few hours hence.” “I assure you I shall ever gratefully remember your kindness to me.” “Perhaps not,” laughed the maiden. “Captain Somers,” interposed the major, “I think we have carried the joke far enough; and we will now proceed to the serious part of the business. In one word, you—” “Stop, Major Riggleston, if you please,” interrupted Maud. “This is my affair.” “Hurry it along a little faster, then, if you will, Maud. The people outside will get tired of waiting.” “Don’t you interfere, major. You forget that you are a Union officer, belonging to the Maryland Home Brigade. Captain Somers insists that you are; and of course you are.” “Of course I am; I had almost forgotten that little circumstance,” laughed the major. “Well, Miss Hasbrouk, since you are to manage the affair, I will thank you to inform me what it all means,” demanded Somers, with the least evidence of impatience in his tones. “With the greatest pleasure; with a pleasure which you cannot yet appreciate, I will inform you all about it. But, my dear Captain Somers, in deference to a lady who has admired you, fêted you, dined you, you will answer a few questions which I shall propose to you, before I proceed to the explanation.” “Be in haste, Maud,” said the major. “Major Riggleston, if you hurry me, I shall be obliged to ask you to leave the room,” answered she, with a resumption of the imperial dignity she had partially abandoned. “I’m dumb, Maud.” “Keep so, then. Now, Captain Somers, you are one of the heroes of the Yankee army; a down-east pink of chivalry. At Petersburg you were within the Confederate lines doing duty as a spy. First question: Is this so?” “That would be for a rebel court-martial to prove, if I should happen to be captured.” “First question evaded. Taking advantage of the hospitality and kindness of Dr. Scoville, who had pledged his honor that you should be delivered up to the proper authorities as soon as you were able to be moved, you escaped from his custody. Second question: Is this true?”
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