“So long as there are wars there will be spies,” added the general. “All that we can do is to do our best to minimize the evil and deal sternly with those we catch. Our people in Washington have not been in sympathy with stern measures and the enemy knows this. The result is they have been very bold. It was Mrs. Gray, I understand, Captain, who was responsible for the capture of the spy André.” “And Madame de Beaupre,” added Captain Boucher. “Oh, you know about it, then?” exclaimed General Gordon. “Yes.” “Suppose we change the subject,” suggested Grace, her face flushing. “I never did like to hear myself talked about. May I ask if we are using carrier pigeons on this march?” she questioned innocently. “Not to speak of. We have them, of course, but our lines of communication are so open that birds are not needed. We have sent out a few in an experimental way; but that is all.” “In which direction did they fly, sir, if I may ask?” “Westward, of course. Why do you ask?” demanded the captain, bending a keen glance on the face of the Overton girl. “I wondered.” “Will you be good enough to tell us, Mrs. Gray, why you appear to be so interested in carrier pigeons at this moment?” urged the Intelligence officer. “Yes, what have you to suggest?” added the general. “That you watch the skies in the early morning. Pigeons are being flown from this army in the early morning, and, sir, they are flying to the eastward,” Grace Harlowe informed them in a quiet tone. CHAPTER VII OFFICERS GET A SHOCK Every eye was fixed on Grace Harlowe’s face mid a tense silence. General Gordon was the first to break the silence. “Ah! I was certain that you had something in mind,” he said. “I think you must be mistaken, Mrs. Gray,” objected Captain Boucher. “What you probably saw was a bird and--” “Yes, sir, it was a bird,” agreed “Captain” Grace amid much laughter. “Did you see the bird, or did some one tell about it?” persisted the Intelligence officer. “I saw it, sir.” “Describe its manner of flight, if you can, please, and the point where you saw it.” “The bird spiralled up after a little apparent uncertainty, then taking a direct line, streaked it to the eastward. Two others followed it at regular intervals. That was at Etain, and the birds were flown from a little patch of woods to the south of the ruined village. I have seen many pigeons flown in this war, Captain Boucher, and I am familiar, in a way, with their methods of operating.” “You surely have described it properly. You only saw three birds go up?” “That was all I saw at Etain.” “You have seen some since?” asked the general quickly. “Yes, sir. Three more were liberated from a field just at break of day this morning. They too went east.” “Most remarkable,” declared the major gazing at her admiringly. “Our Intelligence Department is obtaining some real intelligence.” “Yes, here’s a job for you, Captain. I’ll warrant you are up at break of day to-morrow morning,” chuckled the general.