"Captain Lloyd showed me a despatch which he had taken from the dead body of a rebel officer, Major George Pegram. The captain declared this despatch was given to Pegram by the accused; that she understood the Morse code, and had taken the message verbatim from the wire, having been in the telegraph office at the time it was received." "Have you that despatch, Symonds?" "No, sir. I handed it back to Captain Lloyd." "What did he do with it?" "He replaced it in his wallet, and put that in the inside pocket of his coat." "Can you recollect the words of the despatch?" "No, sir; I cannot. It was in cipher, and the words made no sense that I could understand; secondly, I only saw it for a second." "Would you recognize the handwriting if you saw it again?" "I think I would, sir," but Symonds looked dubious. The judge advocate picked up several sheets of paper, apparently torn from a notebook, and handed them to the Secret Service agent. "Did the writing of the despatch resemble any of these specimens of the prisoner's handwriting?" he asked. Symonds studied the papers intently; then shook his head. "No, sir." Mrs. Bennett, who had bent forward, the better to hear Symonds' answer, sank slowly back in her chair. The judge advocate's manifest surprise was reflected in her face. She paid no attention to his next question; her busy brain was occupied in planning to get instant word to Colonel Baker that, in her opinion, Symonds was deliberately lying to shield Nancy. "State to the court as briefly as possible what occurred after you returned the despatch to Captain Lloyd," ordered the judge advocate. "The captain told me to report to Colonel Baker that he possessed new evidence, which would hang Miss Newton. He said I was to explain to Colonel Baker that he had been five days in the saddle and was exhausted from lack of sleep, and that he was obliged to rest that afternoon, as he could not keep awake any longer, or words to that effect." "One moment," interrupted the judge advocate. "Did all this conversation take place in Captain Lloyd's room, and was the hall door closed?" Symonds considered a second before replying. "The door was closed during our interview in the room," he said thoughtfully, "but I distinctly recollect he told me, _after_ I had stepped into the hall, that he was going to lie down and that I was to be sure and send for him when the accused was arrested because he 'would sleep like the dead.'" Nancy stole an anxious glance at Warren's impassive face, for the effect of Symonds' testimony on the court was only too apparent; but the senator was staring steadily at the witness and paid no attention to his client. She sank back in her chair with a deep sigh. "Do you think these last remarks of Captain Lloyd could have been overheard?" "Yes, sir. The captain did not trouble to lower his voice." "Did you obey the captain's orders, Symonds?"