Louis felt that now was the time to make his escape. Even if the others should go away, the clerk would remain in the store until it was time to open for business in the morning. Without making any noise Louis arose from his cramped position. As he did this he saw close at hand a pistol and a box of cartridges, evidently set aside for some customer. He slipped both into his pocket as things which might become exceedingly useful later on. Less than ten feet away were the articles Jacks and Fox had brought in. Over these Davidstein had hastily thrown some paper, to conceal them from the Confederate officer, who, had he seen them, might have asked some troublesome questions. Louis could not resist the temptation to take a look at the goods. He speedily recognized his watch and several other things belonging to himself, and stowed them away. This done he placed the paper in its former position and ran lightly for the front door. A look outside told him that the coast in the immediate vicinity of the store was clear. But how would it be farther on? That question could not be answered. Those upstairs were coming down. He moved outside, closed the door noiselessly behind him, and made a dash across the street to an alley between a store and a private dwelling. “Hi, there!” It was the call of a private citizen, who had seen him running. Louis did not reply, but kept on his course, and reaching the end of the alley leaped over a fence, crossed another street and finally found himself in the rear of a mansion surrounded by a well-kept garden. A barn was close at hand and he entered this, thinking the hay-loft would surely offer a safe hiding place. An hour was spent in the barn without disturbance, and the young Union soldier was wondering what he had best do next, when he heard the clatter of hoofs, and a man on horseback entered the garden and rode straight for the barn. From the hay-loft Louis saw him dismount and take some papers from a secret pocket in his saddle. Then came the banging of a house door, the rush of feet, and a middle-aged woman rushed up. “Oh, Robert, are you safe?” Louis heard the lady exclaim, in anxious tones. “Perfectly safe, Lucy; although I’ve had a tight squeeze of it.” “And did you get to General McClel--” “Hush, my dear--” The man put up his hand warningly. “No, I didn’t see the general, but I saw General Keyes and that was just as well. The plans of the fortifications will help along the cause a good deal. Has anybody been here since I was away?” “Captain Andrews. He wanted to know where you were. I told him somewhere about town. Robert, I am afraid they are beginning to suspect everything is not right.” “Perhaps. But as long as they can’t prove anything, Lucy, we are safe. I hope you have something ready for me to eat, I’m as hungry as a bear. Whoa, Clipper, there you are, old boy. Lucy, Clipper is a marvel to travel through such swamps and muck holes.”