"Yes; but not to carry your curiosity to the point of discourtesy. I have not the slightest objection to answering your questions, if you only ask with some respect." "You always hold me at arm's length." "Do I? Well, this is hardly the best time to discuss that. What was it you wished to know?" "Who is the fellow travelling with you?" "Didn't the judge tell you?" "He said he was a Confederate spy dressed in the uniform of a Yankee lieutenant whom you had brought through the lines." "Well, isn't that information sufficient?" The gallant captain again smothered an oath, evidently tried to the limit by the girl's cool indifference. "Of course it isn't. That might answer for Moran, for he has no personal interest in the affair. But it's altogether different with me. It's merely accident that I rode in here this morning, and I immediately discover the woman I am engaged to marry was out all night riding around with a stranger, eating breakfast with him when I arrive. Do you suppose that is pleasant?" "No; yet my explanation ought to be sufficient." "Explanation! You have made none." "Oh, yes; Judge Moran told you the circumstances." I heard him stomp roughly across the floor, his spurs clanking. "Explanation, nothing! Who is the fellow?" "Really I don't know." "Don't know? Do you mean to say you rode with him alone all night, and took breakfast with him this morning, without even learning his name?" "He said his name was Galesworth, but I don't know that he told the truth." "You pretend indifference well," the man sneered. "It is no pretence; I am indifferent. Why should I be otherwise? I am not interested in spies. I may assist one through the lines to serve the Confederacy, but that is no evidence that I feel any personal interest in the man. Anyhow that is the extent of my knowledge in this case, and I haven't the slightest desire to increase it. When are you going to ride on?" "Not until I know more than I do now," he retorted savagely. "There is something hidden here. You are pretending all this indifference so as to give that fellow sufficient time to get away. I'm damned if I put up with it." "Captain Le Gaire," and she was upon her feet, "do you venture to address such language to me? Do you dare--" "I am no dupe of yours or of any other woman," he broke in, too angry now to restrain his words. "There is something wrong here, and I mean to know what it is. If you won't tell, I'll find out myself." He strode across to the window and called to some one below. "Slade, come in here." There was a moment of waiting, during which neither stirred, nor spoke. Then the trooper entered, his heels clicking together as he saluted just within the doorway. "Sergeant," said Le Gaire shortly. "I have reason to suspect there is a man hidden in that room yonder. I'll keep an eye on this young lady, while you find out." Slade took a step forward, and the girl's dress rustled.