Beauregard was on his feet, and Miss Hardy stood between the windows, her hands clasped, her cheeks red.
"What is all this, gentlemen?
A Federal officer in full uniform?
How comes he here ?" I made no attempt to answer, unable to formulate an excuse, and the young fellow broke in swiftly, "Sims caught him in the hall, General.

He is unarmed, but refuses to explain." The general's stern dark eyes were upon my face.
"Hardly a spy, I think," he said quietly.

"What is the explanation, sir?
Are you the bearer of a message ?" I started to speak, but before the first uncertain word came to my lips, the girl swept forward, and stood between us.
"Let me explain," she cried swiftly.

"This gentleman is a friend of Captain Le Gaire's, and was presented to me as Major Atherton, formerly on General Pemberton's staff--perhaps there may be some here who know him ?" She glanced inquiringly about on the faces of the group, and a stockily built infantry captain struck his open hand on the table.
"By Jove, that's it! Thought I recognized the face.

How are you, Atherton ?--met you at Big Shanty." Still puzzled, although evidently relieved, Beauregard remained motionless.
"But the uniform ?" he questioned.