But Mrs. Varney was not allowed to indulge in either her bitter retrospect or her dread anticipations very long. Her reverie was interrupted by the subdued trampling of heavy feet upon the floor of the back porch. The long drawing-room extended across the house, and had porches at front and back, to which access was had through long French windows. The sound was so sudden and so unexpected that she dropped the jacket on the couch and turned to the window. The sound of low, hushed voices came to her, and the next moment a tall, fine-looking young man of rather distinguished appearance entered the room. He was not in uniform, but wore the customary full-skirted frock coat of the period, and carried his big black hat in his hand. For the rest, he was a very keen, sharp-eyed man, whose movements were quick and stealthy, and whose quick, comprehensive glance seemed to take in not only Mrs. Varney, but everything in the room. Through the windows and the far door soldiers could be seen dimly. Mrs. Varney was very indignant at the entrance of this newcomer in this unceremonious manner. “Mr. Arrelsford!” she exclaimed haughtily. In two or three quick steps Mr. Benton Arrelsford of the Confederate Secret Service was by her side. Although she was alone, through habit and excessive caution he lowered his voice when he spoke to her. “Your pardon, Mrs. Varney,” he said, with just a shade too much of the peremptory for perfect breeding, “I was compelled to enter without ceremony. You will understand when I tell you why.” “And those men——” said Mrs. Varney, pointing to the back windows and the far door. “What have we done that we should be——” “They are on guard.” “On guard!” exclaimed the woman, greatly surprised and equally resentful. “Yes, ma’am; and I am very much afraid we shall be compelled to put you to a little inconvenience; temporary, I assure you, but necessary.” He glanced about cautiously and pointed to the door across the hall. “Is there anybody in that room, Mrs. Varney?” “Yes, a number of ladies sewing for the hospital; they expect to stay all night.” “Very good,” said Arrelsford. “Will you kindly come a little farther away? I would not have them overhear by any possibility.” There was no possibility of any one overhearing their conversation, but if Mr. Arrelsford ever erred it was not through lack of caution. Still more astonished, Mrs. Varney followed him. They stopped by the fireplace. “One of your servants has got himself into trouble, Mrs. Varney, and we’re compelled to have him watched,” he began. “Watched by a squad of soldiers?” “It is well not to neglect any precaution, ma’am.” “And what kind of trouble, pray?” asked the woman. “Very serious, I am sorry to say. At least that is the way it looks now. You’ve got an old white-haired butler here——” “You mean Jonas?” “I believe that’s his name,” said Arrelsford. “And you suspect him of something?”