“Right after leaving Fortress Monroe. I wanted to call on an uncle of mine living up around yere, an’ the cap’n let me go.” “Why did you try to crawl through the lines?” “Didn’t have no countersign.” “What was the countersign the day you left?” “It was--” the prisoner pretended to think. “Hang the luck! I’ve forgot wot it wuz, corporal, upon my honah.” “When you were off did you see anything of the rebels?” “Not much, I didn’t. I give ’em the biggest go-by I could.” “Supposing we search you? Have you any objections?” “’Tain’t gentlemanly, corporal.” “Oh, yes, it is; under certain circumstances.” “But I’ve gin yer my name an’ regiment,” pleaded the prisoner, who seemed to be alarmed over the possibility of a search. “Yer might ez well let me find my quarters.” “You’ve put your foot into it, my man. The regiment you mentioned is not with us, but is stationed somewhere up in Maryland, in the vicinity of Baltimore.” At this announcement the lower jaw of the prisoner dropped visibly, and he forgot to go on with the chewing process. “Well--er--we cum down--our company, I mean,” he stammered. “It was a mistake, but our company is yere--I’ll take my oath to that.” “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt--after I’ve searched you. Stivers, take off his coat and vest and make him remove his boots. Number Seven, what is it?” “Can I speak to the prisoner, sir?” asked Louis, who felt he was on the verge of a discovery. “I think I know him and can make him reveal himself,” he added, in a whisper. “Go ahead,” answered the corporal, briefly. The other officers had been called away to general headquarters and he was, consequently, in sole charge. “I want to ask you how you left Sam Jacks, and Hogwell, and the rest,” said Louis, aloud, and as he spoke he eyed the prisoner narrowly. “By thunder!” was the ejaculation, and the man fell back a step. Then, by the light of the smoking lantern he surveyed Louis closer. “Ef it hain’t the chap we wuz arfter at Lee Run!” he continued, before considering his words. “Exactly!” burst from the young soldier’s lips. “I thought I knew you. Corporal, he is a rebel, and worse.” “What do you mean by worse?” “He is a thief. He and a gang of others once robbed me of my watch and money. It was up near Deems, and I was trying to get through Maryland to my home in Pennsylvania. Before that I met some of the same crowd at Lee Run, and they tried to injure me there.” “It ain’t so!” roared the prisoner. “I don’t know Sam Jacks, nor Hogwell, nor Ross, nor none of ’em.” “You remember the names right enough,” returned Louis, coldly. “And you will note that you add Ross’s name, which I didn’t mention.” He turned to the corporal. “Ross was another of the crowd.”