Here John had one more good gaze at Ravenel. He was in the physical perfection of twenty-six, his eyes less playful than once, but his smile less cynical. His dress was faultlessly neat. Haggard was almost as noticeable, though less interesting; a slender, high-strung man, with a pale face seamed by a long scar got in a duel. One could see that he had been trying to offset the fatigues of the night with a popular remedy. Garnet was dictating, Haggard writing. "Captains Shotwell and Champion will move their forces at once in opposite circuits--through the disturbed villages--and assure all persons--of whatever race or party--that the right of the people peaceably to bear arms--is vindicated--and that order is restored--and will be maintained." A courier waited. "At the same time," said Ravenel, indolently, "they can ask if the rumor is true that Mr. Leggett and about ten others are going to be absent from this part of the country until after the election, and say we hope it's so." Haggard cast a glance at Garnet, Garnet looked away, the postscript was made, and the missive sent. "Brother March, good-morning, sir." The Major kept the Judge's hand as they moved aside. But presently the whole room could hear--"Why, Brother March, the trouble's all over!--Oh, of course, if Halliday feels any real _need_ to confer with us he can do so; we'll be right here.--Oh--Haggard!" The editor, in the doorway, said he would be back, and went out. He was evidently avoiding Halliday. Judge March felt belittled and began to go. "If you're bound for home, Brother March, I'll be riding that way myself, presently. You see, in a few minutes Suez'll be as quiet as it ever was, and I sent word to General Halliday just before you came in, that no one designs, or has designed, to abridge any personal liberty of his he may think safe to exercise." The speaker suddenly ceased. Both men stood hearkening. Loud words came up the stairs. "Your son stepped down into the street, Judge," said Ravenel. The next instant the three rushed out and down the stairway. John had gone down to see the two armed bands move off. They had been gone but a few minutes when he noticed General Halliday, finely mounted, come from a stable behind the hotel and trot smartly toward him. The few store-keepers left in town stared in contemptuous expectation, but to John this was Fannie's father, and the boy longed for something to occur which might enable him to serve that father in a signal way and so make her forever tenderly grateful. The telegraph office was up these same stairs on the other side of the landing opposite the _Courier_ office; most likely the General was going to send despatches. John's gaze followed the gallant figure till it disappeared in the doorway at the foot of the staircase. Near the bottom the General and the editor met and passed. The editor stopped and cursed the General. "You jostled me purposely, sir!"