"Surely you jest, Miss Willifred! That is hardly considered a guest chamber." "No; but the safest place in the house, if, by any chance, it is searched by a scouting party." The old gentleman nodded, as if in approval.
"Possibly it would be safer, although I hardly anticipate any such calls from the enemy with our own people so near.

You will not be the first Confederate to lie hidden there, sir," with a bow to me, and a quick glance toward the smiling girl.

"Would you mind showing him the way, my dear ?--it is becoming difficult for me to mount the stairs." "With pleasure; indeed, I was about to propose doing so.

Major, you will go first, please." However cheerily these words were spoken I understood their quiet threat, and the full meaning of that motionless hand held securely hidden behind the fold of her skirt.

She opened the door into the hall, and, with one questioning glance into her eyes, I murmured a word of thanks to the unsuspecting judge, and passed slowly through.