Again the dark face smiled. "I was asked by my Chief to report on the habits of every man in my Department--particularly to report every man who frequents the gambling hells of Richmond--" Jennie watched him nervously, her hands trembling. "It's possible of course--" Her eyes suddenly filled with tears and she threw herself into his arms. And then it happened--the little thing, trivial and insignificant, that makes and unmakes life. For a long while no words were spoken. With gentle touch he soothed her trembling body, bending to kiss the waves of rich brown hair. She pushed him at arm's length at last and looked up smiling. "I can't help it--I love you!" "When will you learn that we must trust where we love--" He stopped suddenly. Her brown eyes were fixed with terror on a single strand of curling blond hair caught on the button of his waistcoat. "What is it?" he asked in alarm. She drew the hair from his coat carefully and held it to the light in silence. "You can't be jealous?" She looked at him curiously. "Yes. I have a rival--" "A rival?" Her eyes pierced him. "Your love for the Union! I've suspected you before. You've evaded my questions. Our love has been so big and sweet a thing that you have always stammered and hesitated to tell me a deliberate lie. It's not necessary now. I know. Ulrich Dahlgren is the age of my brother Billy. They used to play together in Washington at Commodore Dahlgren's home and at ours. He had the most peculiarly beautiful blond hair I ever saw on a man. I'd know it anywhere on earth. That strand is his, poor boy! Besides, Dick Welford captured your messenger with that pathetic little bundle on his way to Washington--" Socola started in spite of his desperate effort at self-control and was about to speak when Jennie lifted her hand. "Don't, please. It's useless to quibble and argue with me longer. We face each other with souls bare. I don't ask you why you have deceived me. Your business as a Federal spy is to deceive the enemy--" "You are not my enemy," he interrupted in a sudden burst of passion. "You are my mate! You are mine by all the laws of God and nature. I love you. I worship you. We are _not_ enemies. We never have been--we never shall be. With the last breath I breathe your name shall be on my lips--" "You may speak your last word soon--" "What do you mean?" "I am going to surrender you to the authorities--" "And you have just been sobbing in my arms--the man you have sworn to love forever?" "It's the only atonement I can make. Through you I have betrayed my country and my people. I would gladly die in your place. The hard thing will be to do my duty and give you up to the death you have earned." "You can deliver me to execution?" "Yes--" was the firm answer. "Listen to this--" She seized a copy of the morning paper. "Colonel Dahlgren's instructions to his men. This document was found on his person when shot. There is no question of its genuineness--"