“This department of yours,” said Tarleton after a longer pause than usual, “is something new, is it not? I have heard that Chatham was strongly opposed to it, but that the king----” “Hush!” Cornwallis laid his hand warningly upon the other’s arm. “That is a thing not to be spoken of.” “Oh!” exclaimed Tarleton, impatiently, “among friends----” “Even among friends,” said Cornwallis, “silence must be kept.” He turned to Tom. “Is this not so?” “I believe,” answered Tom slowly, for he feared to betray himself, “that the utmost secrecy is considered necessary.” “Exactly.” Cornwallis looked triumphantly at the other officer. “Just what I have always held since the matter was first brought to my attention. To hope to do anything by such means, one must work in the dark, so to speak--one must not allow even a whisper to reach the upper world, if success is to be hoped for.” “Quite right,” and Tom bowed, more mystified than ever, but determined to carry out the matter to the end. “And now,” said Cornwallis, “I suppose you will wish to see the gentleman who is to give you the information which you seek.” “If you please.” The youth said this not without some misgiving; but he dreaded to refuse, as it might excite some suspicion. “Ah,” said Cornwallis, apparently greatly pleased. “I had fancied that you’d not want to see him until later. But I had him come here to-night on the chance; I am delighted that you show a willingness to take the matter up so promptly.” Tom was rather angry with himself for this same willingness; but it was too late now; so Cornwallis rang a bell to summon the person spoken of. “He is waiting in the next room,” said he, “and I rather think you will find him the kind of man you want.” Here the door opened and Lieutenant Cheyne of Tarleton’s horse entered. He looked at Tom sharply for a moment as he crossed to the table at which the others were sitting. But it had been four long years since the affair of the mansion of Jasper Harwood, and Tom had greatly changed and grown since then; so he bore himself with boldness and confidence and looked straight into Cheyne’s eye without a quaver. The lieutenant, however, was only marveling at the youth of the visitor who had come there wrapped about in so much mystery; no thought of ever having met him before had crossed his mind. “This gentleman,” said Cornwallis, “will introduce you wherever you wish, in Charleston.” The lieutenant bowed. “I shall be most happy,” said he. “As to the towns and cities further north,” proceeded Cornwallis, “we have provided another person for that. I will summon him, also.” His hand was already upon the bell, but Tom stopped him. “One moment,” said he. “The name of this person, if you please.” The other three looked at him in surprise. “I had thought that no names were to be mentioned at this stage of the proceedings.” [Illustration: _“THIS GENTLEMAN,” SAID CORNWALLIS, “WILL INTRODUCE YOU”_]