The first words uttered held me silent, listening.

There was a heavy step on the uncarpeted floor, the jingle of spurs, and a startled exclamation from the girl.
"You! Why, I had no thought of meeting you here." "Yet I trust you are not sorry," the voice deep, yet so low I lost an occasional word.

"Judge Moran says you bear--" "Hush," she interrupted quickly.

"Yes, and they must go on at once.

What brings you here, Gerald?
A scouting party ?" "We are Beauregard's advance scouts; he is moving eastward." "Then these papers must reach him at once.