"Missy," Sam's voice brought her back to the present, "Massa done brunged yo' up ter ride, an' shoot, an' swim 'kase he wanted a boy so bad. He wore shot leadin' a charge ag'in de Yanks, an' when de gen'ral cum later ter say how bad he feel ter lose Massa, he jes' said: 'Ah wish Ah haid uh son ter take ma place in de ranks.'" The negro paused, then continued slowly: "When yo' an' I got dar, Missy, de Massa wore mos' gone, but he say ter yo': 'Doan cry, dear, de fightin' Newtons allus die wid de boots on--an' so die happy.' An' den he raise hissef up uh li'le an' gasp: 'Ah gib yo' ter de Cause--swear to uphold de honoh ob Virginny--ter repel invasion--swear----'" Sam raised his right hand solemnly. "An' yo' swore dat oath on de Crucifix, Missy, on de Crucifix--in a dyin' man's han'." Sam's accusing eyes held Nancy spellbound. Mechanically she readjusted her wig. Quickly her right hand sought the papers lying on the table, and before either of the men realized her intention she had slipped from the room and was gone. CHAPTER IX OUTWITTED For once Lloyd had overslept, and he kicked a chair viciously out of his way as he stooped to find an elusive collar button. A loud knock at his door interrupted his search. On opening it he found one of the chambermaids leaning against the opposite wall. "Well, what is it?" he demanded sharply. "Dis hyar gen'man's down to de do' an' wants ter see yo' to onst," and she thrust a card into his hand. "Tell Colonel Mitchell I will be down in a minute. No, stay--show him up here." Lloyd retreated into his room. He had just completed his toilet when a second knock sounded on his door. "Good morning, Mitchell," he said cordially, admitting the officer. "I had you come up here because we can be more private. Sit down and have a cigar," and he pulled forward a chair; then opened his cigar case. But the colonel remained standing, and waved aside the proffered cigar. "Did you catch Miss Newton?" he asked eagerly. "We found her, yes; but my plan missed fire." "You mean?" "She did not try to communicate with the rebels last night." "Then you did not arrest her as a spy?" "No--I had not sufficient evidence against her to do so." "Is she at large?" "Yes; but closely watched." "Did you take the despatch from her?" "No." "She still has it?" "I suppose so. Good God! man, what's the matter?" Mitchell, white faced and trembling, collapsed into a chair. "Pull yourself together," continued Lloyd sternly. "She cannot do any harm even if she does manage to send that despatch to Lee; it is false information." Twice Mitchell tried to speak. "Man, man," he gasped finally. "By some fearful mischance I dropped a real despatch and not the bogus one."