head at this, and after receiving George’s order, left the apartment with a wrathful countenance.

Curiously, George approached the fire; holding his hands out to the blaze, he looked into the upturned face, and to his surprise recognized the heavy brows and sullen expression of Lieutenant Camp. As he was still surprisedly gazing into the young man’s face, the eyes opened; seeing himself closely observed, the latter sat up instantly.

“Hello,” said he, rather roughly. “What brings you here?”

“The fire, latterly,” smiled George, still holding his hands extended over the blaze. “But the prospect of a hot supper, mainly.”

The heavy brows of the young man upon the settle gathered in a frown; his eyes searched George’s face with a peculiar look.

“It seems to me that I’ve seen you before,” said he.

George nodded, but just as he was about to point out where they had met on the day before,[96] he caught the odd look in the other’s eyes, and with a quick impulse checked himself. So he merely said:

[96]

“It is very likely.”

There was a moment’s silence; the young man upon the settle clasped one knee with his hands and studied George intently.

“You are a stranger hereabouts, I take it,” said he.

George nodded. “Yes,” was his brief reply.

Again there was a silence. Young Prentiss, without seeming to do so, examined the other as intently as he was himself being examined. And, gradually, the impression grew more and more upon him that Merchant Camp’s nephew was keying himself to say something which he considered of much importance. Several times the lieutenant bent forward and seemed upon the point of speaking; but each time he sank back, his lips still closed and an expression of indecision upon his face. At length, however, he seemed resolved to make the plunge. With voice so lowered as to be almost a whisper, he said:

“It is rumored that Washington will soon be here.”

[97]George stared at him; so ludicrously tame did the saying seem after all the cautious hesitation that had preceded it that he almost laughed. But the expression upon Herbert Camp’s face prevented this; it was one of eager 

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