I had a reason now for running the man down.

Wherever he had gone, even into the Confederate camp, I vowed I would follow.

But first the house: I could conceive of no way in which he could have gotten out--there was a guard in front, and I had locked the rear door.

I went at the task deliberately, coolly, determined to overlook nothing.

There was something of value at stake now, and my mind was as busy as my hands and eyes.