Where can, we be alone, Billie ?" "Right in here," stepping through the doorway into the deeper dusk of the dining-room.

"If you are hungry I can order a lunch." "No," impatiently, "I have eaten twice to-day--what I want to know is what has become of that fellow who was here this morning ?" "Major Ather--" "Oh, hell!" forgetting every pretence to gentility.

"He was not Atherton at all, but a damned Yankee spy.

Do you mean to say you didn't know it ?" I could see her straighten up, turning swiftly to face him.

Whatever the shock of discovery may have been, indignation conquered, and her voice was cool, stinging.
"Captain Le Gaire, I am not in the habit of being sworn at, and will leave you to gain your information elsewhere." She swept by him to the door, but, gasping with surprise, the man managed to call after her, "Billie, don't go like that! I didn't mean to swear.