“Oh! that is a part of war,” laughed Calhoun. “If Morgan didn’t lie about the number of men he had, the Yanks would gobble him up in no time. We don’t call such things lying; it’s a righteous deceiving of the enemy.” “But I am ready to sink into the earth with shame every time I think of Ainsworth,” sighed Kate. “That’s rich,” laughed Calhoun; “crying because you broke the heart of a Yankee! Kate, I have a mind to send you into the enemy’s lines. If Cupid’s darts were only fatal, your bright eyes would create more havoc than a battle.” “No use sending her away,” broke in Mrs. Shackelford; “there are more Federal officers buzzing around her now than I wish there were.” “Mighty useful to worm secrets from,” exclaimed Kate; “but I make no promises to any of them.” “That’s right, Kate, get all the secrets from them you can,” said Calhoun; “that is what I am in Nashville for. Can any one get around the city without much danger?” “Oh, yes, in the daytime; but there is always more or less danger to strangers. Business is going on as usual. The city is lively, livelier than before the war; but it is soldiers—soldiers everywhere.” “And you have to have no passes?” asked Calhoun. “It is best to have one. Most of us have standing permits to come and go in the city as we please.” “Can you get me a permit?” asked Calhoun, eagerly. “There is Jim Grantham,” replied Kate, thoughtfully; “his description will suit Calhoun close enough. I can get Jim to loan you his.” Calhoun was now told that the Southern people in Nashville were thoroughly organized into a secret society. They had their signs and pass-words, so that they could know each other. So far no one had proved a traitor. The Federal authorities suspected that such an organization existed, but their shrewdest detectives never succeeded in finding out anything about it. Kate, who had gone for the permit of James Grantham, soon returned with it. The description fitted Calhoun almost as well as if made out for himself. He could now walk the streets of Nashville with little fear of arrest. He was given a list of those who could most probably give him the information he desired. He marvelled to see how quickly a little sign which he gave was answered, and was amazed at the work this secret organization was doing. Not a regiment entered or left Nashville but they knew its exact strength, and to what point it was ordered. In two days Calhoun had gathered information which would be of vast value to the Confederate cause, and it was now time for him to see by what means he could leave the city. He was on his way to see three gentlemen who said they could get him outside of the city without trouble or danger, when an incident happened which came near sending him to the gallows. He was walking unconcernedly along the street, when he suddenly came face to face with Haines, now a captain. Although Calhoun was dressed in citizen’s clothes, the captain knew him at a glance.