Captain Morland turned his searching gaze upon him and their eyes met. “Curt Remington!” “Hal Morland!” It was a strange meeting for old friends. The scout was the first to recover his self-possession. “I hoped you wouldn’t recognize me, Hal. But do your duty. It is a poor soldier who is afraid to die.” “No--no! not that, Curt. My God, I did not dream of this. I have not forgot the debt that I owe you. How came you here?” “I was caught as a spy. But see, the sun is setting. You jeopardize your own life by this delay. Once more I ask you to do your duty.” Captain Morland made a few swift passes which were quickly answered by the other. “That settles it,” he exclaimed with a lighter countenance. “There isn’t power enough in the South to compel me to do this deed.” Turning to the wondering soldiers he said: “Boys, that man is a Freemason. So am I. They may do what they will to me, but I cannot see this work go on. I am bound by an oath that I cannot break to harm no one of the fraternity. Some one else must finish this work. For the present I order him to the guard-house. See that he does not escape. I will report to headquarters.” With a few passes made to the captive scout, which the others of course did not understand, he wheeled and started for the colonel’s tent. It would be difficult to describe Captain Morland’s feeling as he presented himself to his superior. “What, have you got over with it as soon as this, captain? I think you have outdone yourself this time.” “And you will have great reason for thinking so, Colonel Markham, when I ask to be released from this work, as I do.” “Wish to be released from the work?” exclaimed the other. “I never knew you to shirk from a duty before, Captain Morland. It was for that very reason I selected you of all others.” “Thank you, colonel, but for once I must prove faithless to your trust, even though I lose my commission by it. I am sorry it has happened.” “Explain yourself,” was the impatient rejoinder. “The prisoner is a Freemason and so am I. My oath forbids----” “Oh! ho! so that is it. I see--I see!” exclaimed the astonished colonel. “We can make that all right, captain. I feared it was something else.” “I trust my loyalty is above suspicion, colonel.” “So it is; on my faith, it is. But what have you done with the prisoner?” “I ordered him to the guard-house to be kept under strict surveillance.” “You did right. He will be safe there until morning. He shall be attended to then. I have just received an important notice from headquarters. Our brigade has been ordered to the relief at Buzzard’s Gap and we are likely to receive marching orders at any moment. It looks as though we were in for hot work.” “Anything to break the monotony of this camp life,” exclaimed Morland, “but I have a little business to look after, so you must excuse me, colonel.” “Certainly; only see that the boys are in readiness for a start. Good-evening.”