“I have no further orders to give, sir,” said the Lieutenant. “General Randolph will be here in a minute, but you can wait for him or not, as you see fit.” The Sergeant stood uncertain. For one thing, he was not anxious to carry out the orders he had been given now. That one little action of Thorne’s had changed the whole situation. For another thing, Arrelsford was only a civilian, and General Randolph was one of the ranking officers in Richmond. “Move on, Sergeant,” said Arrelsford peremptorily. “You have all the authority you want, and——” The Sergeant held back, uncertainly, but the day was saved by the advent of the General himself. CHAPTER XX THE LAST REPRIEVE General Randolph was evidently in a great hurry. Public affairs of great moment pressed upon him, and it was an evidence of the interest he took in the case of Captain Thorne that he gave him even a minute of his valuable time. He had come on horseback, and everybody could see that he was anxious to get through with his appointed task and get away. “Ah, Sergeant,” he said, answering the latter’s salute as he brought the guard to attention, and then his eye fell upon Captain Thorne. “You have the prisoner, have you?” “Just taking him out, sir,” answered the Sergeant, saluting again. “To prison?” “No, sir.” “Where, then?” “To execute the sentence of the court, sir.” “Oh!” exclaimed the General, looking hard at the Sergeant. “He has had his trial, has he?” But Arrelsford, who chafed at thus being left out of the game, now stepped over and took up the burden of the conversation before the Sergeant could reply. “We have done everything according to regulation, sir,” he said, saluting in a rather cavalier manner. He did not like General Randolph. If it had not been for his interference, the affair would have been settled long ago, and he still cherished a grudge against the latter for having arrested a man so important as the trusted agent of the Secret Service. “The findings have gone to the Secretary.” “Ah!” said General Randolph blandly. He did not like Mr. Arrelsford any better than Mr. Arrelsford liked him. “Yes, sir.” “And he was found guilty, I presume?” “Certainly, sir.” “And what are you going to do with him?” “There is no time for a hanging now, and the court has ordered him shot.” “Oh, indeed. And what were the charges?” “Conspiracy against our government and the success of our arms, by sending a false and misleading despatch containing forged orders, was the particular specification.” “Well,” said General Randolph, “I regret to say that the court has been misinformed.” “What!” cried Arrelsford, in great surprise. “The testimony was very plain.” “Yes, indeed, sir,” interposed the Sergeant. “Nevertheless,” returned the General, “the man is not guilty of that charge. The despatch was not sent.”