“Yes, she did. She put the game in his hands. He got control of the wires and the despatch went through. As soon as I could get to headquarters I explained, and they saw the trick. They rushed the guard back, but the scoundrel had got away. Foray was gone, too, and Allison knew nothing about it, but we’re after him, and if she knows where he is,” he turned as if to leave the room and ascend the stairs, “I will get it out of her.” “You don’t suppose that my daughter would——” began Mrs. Varney. “I suppose everything.” “I will not believe it,” persisted the mother. “We can’t wait for what you believe,” said Arrelsford roughly, this time taking a step toward the door. Mrs. Varney caught him by the arm. “Let me speak to her,” she pleaded. “No, I will see her myself.” But Miss Mitford, who had been the indirect cause of so much trouble, once more interposed. She had listened to him with scarcely less surprise than that developing in Mrs. Varney’s breast. She took a malicious joy in thwarting the Secret Service Agent. She barred the way, her slight figure in the door, with arms extended. “Where is your order for this?” she asked. Arrelsford stared at her in surprise. “Get out of my way,” he said curtly; “I have a word or two to say to you after I have been upstairs.” “Show me your order,” persisted the girl, who made not the slightest attempt to give way. “It’s Department business and I don’t require an order.” “You are mistaken about that,” said Caroline with astonishing resourcefulness. “This is a private house, it isn’t the telegraph office or the Secret Service Department. If you want to go upstairs or see anybody against their will, you will have to bring an order. I don’t know much, but I know enough for that.” Arrelsford turned to Mrs. Varney. “Am I to understand, madam,” he began, “that you refuse——” But before Mrs. Varney could answer, the soldiers Arrelsford had brought with him gave way before the advent of a sergeant and another party of men. The Sergeant advanced directly to Mrs. Varney, touched his cap to her, and began: “Are you the lady that lives here, ma’am?” “Yes, I am Mrs. Varney.” “I have an order from General Randolph’s office to search this house for——” “Just in time,” said Arrelsford, stepping toward the Sergeant; “I will go through the house with you.” “Can’t go through on this order,” said the Sergeant shortly. “You were sent here to——” began Mrs. Varney. “Yes; sorry to trouble you, ma’am, but we’ll have to be quick about it. If we don’t find him here we’ve got to follow him down Franklin Street; he’s over this way somewhere.” “Who are you? What do you want?” “Man named Thorne, Captain of Artillery,” answered the Sergeant; “that’s what he went by, at least. Here, two of you this way! That room in there and the back of the house. Two of you outside,” pointing to the windows. “Cut off those windows. The rest upstairs.”