"I fail to see the fun," he snarled impatiently. "This is no joke, let me tell you, and we'll both find it out if Beauregard ever learns the truth. What did they talk about?" "Army matters mostly. The general wished information regarding the movement of Johnston's and Chambers' forces, and Major Atherton--" "Don't call the fellow that!" "Then what shall I call him?" He struck his fist on the table, almost devoid of the power of speech. "I don't care, only not that. I tell you he's not Atherton, but a sneaking Yankee spy." "Why, he was in full uniform!" "He'll hang, just the same, if we get him. Now see here--did Beauregard let out any facts?" She drew a quick breath, one hand on her breast, and it seemed to me her voice trembled. "He talked as he would to one of his own officers. They discussed the plans of operation quite freely among themselves." Le Gaire groaned, his elbows on the table, his head in his hands. She remained motionless, looking at him. Suddenly he glanced up. "I'll be hanged if I understand you, Billie," he exclaimed. "Don't you care, or don't you realize what this means? That fellow has got all our plans, and he's got safely away with them too, I suppose." She nodded, as he paused an instant. "Before morning they'll be over there," with a wave of the hand, "and our move checkmated. Whose fault is it? Yours and mine. It's enough to drive a man crazy, and you stand there and laugh." "I am not laughing." "Well, you were a minute ago. Do you even suspect who the fellow is?" "You said he was Major Ath--" "Oh, hell!" springing to his feet, with sword rattling, and hands clinched. "I won't stand this, not even from you. You're hiding something; what is it? Is this Yank anything to you?" "Absolutely nothing, Captain Le Gaire. Take your hand from my arm, please. Now I will trouble you to stop this controversy. I am not indifferent, but I refuse to be bullied, and sworn at. If you are so wild to capture this spy why don't you make the rounds of the pickets instead of remaining here and quarrelling with me? The man is not hiding behind my skirts. I will bid you good-night." She was gone before he could even fling out a hand to stop her. A moment he raged between table and wall; then flung out the door and down the steps, calling for his horse. CHAPTER XII AN ATTEMPT AT ESCAPE