“We have to be very careful nowadays,” continued Foray shortly. “But I reckon it’s all right. Here’s the telegram.” “Did the girl seem nervous or excited when she handed this in?” asked the other, taking the message. “Do you mean Miss Mitford?” asked Foray reprovingly. “Certainly, who else?” “Yes, she did.” “She was anxious not to have it seen by anybody?” “Anxious, I should say so. She didn’t even want me to see it.” “Umph!” said Arrelsford. “I don’t mind telling you, Mr. Foray, that we are on the track of a serious affair and I believe she’s mixed up in it.” “But that despatch is to young Varney, a mere boy, the General’s son,” urged the Lieutenant. “I didn’t know he had gone to the front. So much the worse. It’s one of the ugliest affairs we have ever had. I had them put me on it, and I have got it pretty close. We have had some checks but we will end it right here in this office inside of thirty minutes.” There was a slight tap on the door at this juncture. Arrelsford turned to the door, opened it, and found himself face to face with a soldier, who saluted and stood at attention. “Well, what is it?” “The lady’s here, sir,” said the soldier. “Where is she?” asked Arrelsford. “Waiting down below at the front entrance.” “Did she come alone?” “Yes, sir.” “Show her up here at once. I suppose you have a revolver here,” continued the Secret Service Man, turning to Lieutenant Foray, who had listened with much interest. “Certainly,” answered Foray, “we are always armed in the telegraph office.” From a drawer in the table he drew forth a revolver which he laid on the top of the table. “Good,” said Arrelsford, “while I want to handle this thing myself, I may call you. Be ready, that’s all.” “Very well.” “Obey any orders you may get, and send out all despatches unless I stop you.” “Yes, sir.” “And if you don’t mind, I don’t care to have all these messenger boys coming back here. I will order them to stop in the hall. If you have any messages for them, you can take them out there. I don’t want to have too many people in the room.” “Very good, sir. Will you give the order to your orderly when he brings up the young lady?” “Yes.” Arrelsford stepped to the door, and Foray busied himself with the clicking instruments. After a few minutes’ conversation with the orderly, who had just returned, Arrelsford ushered Edith Varney into the room. With not even a glance at the operator in her intense preoccupation, the girl spoke directly to Arrelsford. “I—I’ve accepted your invitation, you see.” “I am greatly obliged to you, Miss Varney,” returned Arrelsford with deferential courtesy. “As a matter of justice to me, it was——” “I didn’t come to oblige you,” answered Edith, haughtily. She had never liked Mr. Arrelsford. His addresses had been most unpleasant and unwelcome to her, and now she not only hated him but she loathed him.