“Just to—to the telegraph office,” answered Caroline. Mr. Arrelsford, who had been waiting with ill-concealed impatience during this dialogue, started violently. “Now!” exclaimed Mrs. Varney in great surprise, not noticing the actions of her latest guest. “At this time of night?” “Yes,” answered Caroline, “it is on very important business, and—I——” “Oh,” returned Mrs. Varney, “if that is the case, Martha must go with you.” “You know we haven’t a single servant left at our house,” Caroline said in explanation of her request. “I know,” said Mrs. Varney, “and, Martha, don’t leave her for an instant.” “No’m,” answered Martha, “Ah’ll take ca’ ob huh.” As soon as she had left the room, passing between the two soldiers, Arrelsford took up the conversation. He spoke quickly and in a sharp voice. He was evidently greatly excited. “What is she going to do at the telegraph office?” he asked. “I have no idea,” answered the woman. “Has she had any conversation with him?” said Arrelsford, pointing to the front of the house. “They were talking together in this room early this evening before you came the first time, but it isn’t possible she could——” “Anything is possible,” snapped Arrelsford impatiently. He was evidently determined to suspect everybody, and leave no stone unturned to prevent the failure of his plans. “Corporal,” he cried, “have Eddinger follow that girl. He must get to the telegraph office as soon as she does, and don’t let any despatch she tries to send get out before I see it. Let her give it in, but hold it. Make no mistake about that. Get an order from the department for you to bring it to me.” As the Corporal saluted and turned away to give the order, Arrelsford faced Mrs. Varney again. “Are they both out there?” “Yes,” answered the woman. “Did you bring the man from Libby Prison?” “I did, the guards have him out in the street on the other side of the house. When we get Thorne in here alone I’ll have him brought over to that back window and shoved into the room.” “And where shall I stay?” “Out there,” said Arrelsford, “by the lower door, opening upon the back hall. You can get a good view of everything from there.” “But if he sees me?” “He won’t see you if it is dark in the hall.” He turned to the Corporal who had reëntered and resumed his station. “Turn out those lights out there,” he said. “We can close these curtains, can’t we?” “Certainly,” said Mrs. Varney, opening the rear door and drawing the heavy portières, but leaving space between them so that any one in the dark hall could see through them but not be seen from the room. “I don’t want too much light in here, either,” said Arrelsford. As he spoke he blew out the candles in the two candelabra which had been placed on the different tables, and left the large, long room but dimly illuminated by the candles in the sconces on the walls.