"It is your sneaking spy methods, not the girl. She is innocent enough, but I suspect you dragged the truth out of her. Now see here!" and his voice took on the tone of a bully. "You are in power just now, but you won't always be. You can't hold me prisoner; not with these ragamuffins. They'll turn us loose as soon as they loot those wagons. I know how they work in the Jerseys. But first I intend to tell you something it will be worth your while to remember. Claire Mortimer is going to be my wife--my wife. War is one thing, but if you interfere in my personal affairs again, I am going to kill you." "Indeed," smilingly. "Is Mistress Mortimer aware of the honor you are according her?" "She is aware of the engagement, if that is what you mean. It has been understood since our childhood." "Oh, I see; a family arrangement. Well, Grant, this is all very interesting, but I am unable to conceive what I have to do with it. I met Mistress Mortimer by accident, and then was fortunate enough to dance with her once. 'Tis scarcely likely we shall ever meet again. The daughter of a colonel of Queen's Rangers is not apt to come again into contact with an officer of the Maryland Line. I don't know why you should single me out in this matter. I don't even know the lady's brother." "Her brother?" "Yes, the family renegade; the twin brother on Lee's staff." I could not perceive the expression of the man's face, but he was a long while answering. "Oh, yes. She told you about him?" "It was mentioned. Would I know the boy from any resemblance to his sister?" "Y--yes, at least I should suppose so. You must have become very intimate for her to have told you that. You see it--it is a family secret." "Nothing for Tories to boast over, I should imagine. However, it came up naturally enough while we spoke of the sufferings of the American army during the winter. It is a sad thing the way this war has divided families. Has Mistress Claire any Colonial sentiments?" "How the devil do I know! She would not be likely to air them before me. I don't know what fool trick you played on her last night, but she's on the right side just the same." "I think so, too." His manner was so disagreeable that I instantly determined to have an end. I had more important work before me than quarrelling with this fellow, and, somehow, his claimed intimacy with Mistress Mortimer grated upon me strangely. "If that is all you requested an interview for, Captain Grant," I said coldly, "I'll trouble you to return to your men." I followed him closely back toward the fire, and neither spoke until we reached the guard-lines. Then he turned his face toward me. "Have you a party out after the lieutenant?" "No; probably he ran into our horse guard across the creek. If not, the three who are reported to have got away can do us no harm. Why are you so interested?" "That is my affair," he replied, insolently, and walked across the open square, with shoulders squared.