“He may learn of this sooner than you will wish,” retorted Captain Dermot, fiercely. “Duty compels me to do what is far from pleasant. Colonel Morland, consider yourself our prisoner. Buck Logan, see that he is securely bound.” “That I will, captain.” “Oh, no--no!” cried Mara. “Spare him.” In spite of her entreaties and his struggles, Caleb Morland was quickly seized and bound. “Now a piece of rope, men. I’ll see if they can’t be brought to terms.” The rope was quickly forthcoming. “Make a slipping noose in one end and put it around the old man’s neck. There, that’s it. Now, Mara Morland, tell us where that infernal Yankee is hiding, or your grandfather swings from that window within one minute!” CHAPTER V. AS BRAVE AS SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL. It was a startling tableau. Colonel Morland looked pale and fearful. There was no pity in the looks of his captors. Though used to scenes of war, and he had served through the struggle of 1812, he was at a loss to account for his present treatment. Mara, on whom the dark eyes of Captain Dermot were fixed, turned pale, though she did not lose her self-possession. “Girl,” he exclaimed, tersely, “where have you secreted that spy?” “I deny your right to question me,” she replied with flashing eyes. A sardonic smile rested on his thin lips. “Answer my question at once, girl, or the old man shall hang. Then we will tear the house down but we will find him. Men, I’ll give her ten seconds to decide, and then if she persist in her madness drag the old scoundrel to the window where he shall hang----” “Never!” cried the clear, sharp voice of the brave girl. “Dare to harm him and you die, Captain Dermot!” She had suddenly drawn a pistol, and its gleaming muzzle stared the Confederate chief in the face. He started back with a cry of terror. Her beautiful countenance shone with excitement, but she gave no evidence of fear. Her tone was calm and measured as she said: “You see that I am in earnest, Captain Dermot, and the first move that is made signs your doom. I have undertaken to save the life of Curtis Remington and I will do it though it costs me my own.” A murmur of admiration went up from the spectators. Before it had died away a crash was heard in the room and a portion of one of the walls fell to the floor. The next moment, to the amazement of the Confederates, Cavalry Curt stood in their presence. “I cannot allow this to continue,” he said, firmly. “Miss Morland, you have my heartfelt thanks for your interference in my behalf. But I will relieve you of all further anxiety. Captain Dermot, since it is me that you want, I will surrender upon two conditions.” A wicked smile played upon the dark visage of the latter. No one in the room was more surprised at the scout’s appearance than Colonel Morland. “What are those conditions, pray, Sir Yank?” sneered Dermot.