“Mr. Foray,” continued Arrelsford, “whoever comes here you are to keep on with your work and don’t give the slightest sign of my presence to any one on any account. You understand?” “Yes, sir,” said Foray from the telegraph table in the centre of the room. He had caught something of the conversation, but he was too good a soldier to ask any questions, beside his business was with the telegraph, not with Mr. Arrelsford. “Now, Miss Varney,” said the Secret Service Agent, “this way, please.” He opened the middle window. The girl stepped through, and he was about to follow when he caught sight of a messenger entering the room. Leaving the window, he retraced his steps. “Where did you come from?” he said abruptly to the young man. “War Department, sir.” “Carrying despatches’?” “Yes, sir.” “You know me, don’t you?” “I’ve seen you at the office, sir, and——” “I’m here on Department business,” said Arrelsford. “All you have to do is to keep quiet about it. Weren’t you stopped in the hall?” “Yes, sir, but I had a despatch from the President that had to be delivered to Lieutenant Foray.” “Well, it is just as well,” said Arrelsford. “Don’t mention having seen me to anybody under any pretext and stay here. You might be needed. On second thoughts, Foray, let any messenger come in.” With that Mr. Arrelsford stepped out onto the balcony through the window which he closed after him, and he and Edith disappeared from view. “Messenger,” said Foray, “step down the hall and tell the private there that by Mr. Arrelsford’s orders, messengers are allowed to come up as they report.” The room which had been the scene of these various colloquies became silent save for the continuous clicking of the telegraph keys. Presently two messengers came back and took their positions as before. Hard on their heels entered Captain Thorne. He was in uniform, of course, and a paper was tucked in his belt. He walked rapidly down the room, acknowledged the salutes of the messengers, and stopped before the table. His quick scrutiny of the room as he advanced had shown him that there was no one present except the messengers and Lieutenant Foray. Foray glanced up, nodded, finished taking the despatch which was on the wires at the time, wrote it out, put it in its envelope, and then rose to his feet and saluted. “Captain Thorne,” he said. “Lieutenant Foray,” replied Thorne, taking the order from his belt and handing it to the operator. “Order from the Department?” asked Foray. “I believe so,” answered Thorne briefly. Lieutenant Foray opened it and read it. “They want me to take a cipher despatch over to the President’s house,” he said as he finished. “Yes,” said Thorne, moving to the vacant place at the table. He pulled the chair back a little, tossed his hat on the other table, and otherwise made himself at home. “I am ordered to stay here until you get back,” he began casually, shoving the paper aside and stretching his hand toward the key.