"It's a lie! You shall not say it, sir!" cried Field, beside himself with wrath and amaze, as he stood quivering from head to foot, still weak from wounds, fever and distress of mind. But Ray sprang to his side. "Hush, Blake! Hush, Field! Don't speak. What is it, Hogan?" And sharply he turned him to the door, never dreaming what had caused the interruption. "The general, sir, to see the captain!" And there, in the hallway, throwing off his heavy overcoat and "arctics," there, with that ever faithful aide in close attendance, was the chief they loved; dropped in, all unsuspecting, just to say good-bye. "I knocked twice," began Hogan, but Ray brushed him aside, for, catching sight of the captain's face, the general was already at the door. Another moment and he had discovered Field, and with both hands extended, all kindliness and sympathy, he stepped at once across the room to greet him. "I was so very sorry to hear the news," said he. "I knew your father well in the old days. How's your wound? What brought you back so soon?" And then there was one instant of awkward silence and then--Ray spoke. "That was my doing, general. I believed it best that he should be here to meet you and--every allegation at his expense. Mr. Field, I feel sure, does not begin to know them yet, especially as to the money." "It was all recovered," said the general. "It was found almost intact--so was much of that that they took from Hay. Even if it hadn't been, Hay assumed all responsibility for the loss." With new bewilderment in his face, the young officer, still white and trembling, was gazing, half stupefied, from one to the other. "What money?" he demanded. "I never heard--" "Wait," said the general, with significant glance at Ray, who was about to speak. "I am to see them--Mrs. Hay and her niece--at nine o'clock. It is near that now. Webb cannot be with us, but I shall want you, Blake. Say nothing until then. Sit down, Mr. Field, and tell me about that leg. Can you walk from here to Hay's, I wonder?" Then the ladies, Mrs. Ray and her charming next door neighbor, appeared, and the general adjourned the conference forthwith, and went with them to the parlor. "Say nothing more," Ray found time to whisper. "You'll understand it all in twenty minutes." And at nine o'clock the little party was on its way through the sharp and wintry night, the general and Captain Blake, side by side, ahead, the aide-de-camp and Mr. Field close following. Dr. Waller, who had been sent for, met them near the office. The sentries at the guard-house were being changed as the five tramped by along the snapping and protesting board walk, and a sturdy little chap, in fur cap and gauntlets, and huge buffalo overcoat, caught sight of them and, facing outward, slapped his carbine down to the carry--the night signal of soldier recognition of superior rank as practised at the time.