“No man is safe from accusation in times like the present.” “But what have you to say for yourself?” “Nothing except that I defy my accusers to prove their charges.” “It seems to me,” said Mr. Davis, “that some one said you were a Southern man.” “Yes, sir, I came originally from Knoxville. The members of my family lived there for years, but in recent times I have lived in California.” “Have you any way of proving that?” The alleged Mr. Munson shrugged his shoulders. “I am afraid I cannot find any one here to identify me.” The President of the Confederacy smiled a somewhat sarcastic smile. “Perhaps we may be able to help you out in that respect. There is a Knoxville man in the city and as soon as I am able to locate him I will have you meet him.” This was startling news indeed and it came near shaking the self-assurance of the volunteer spy. But before he had time to make any reply he found himself being escorted out of the room and taken to his place of confinement in the engine house. He was treated as kindly as before, but he realized that the watch upon him was closer than ever. He did some serious thinking that night. As he looked out of the barred windows and up into the unpitying stars he felt that he had reached a real crisis in his life. One of two things would happen. Either he would escape from his place of confinement, and attempt to reach the North, or he would be shot as a spy. All of the chances seemed to point to his execution on the charge of spying. But his naturally buoyant disposition came to his aid, and when morning arrived he was taking a more cheerful view of the future. That day he was taken before President Davis and submitted to a further cross-examination. The Chief of the Confederacy appeared to be more anxious to get reliable information concerning the Union forces than to prove that Baker was a spy. “Who is in command of the Yankees at this time?” he asked. “General Scott,” was the truthful reply. “Where is he?” “In Washington.” “Ah, then he is not in charge of the troops?” “No, sir, I believe that General McDowell is in active command of the forces in the field.” This was correct, and Baker in making the statement felt that he was not giving away any of the secrets of the war. But the information interested the President and he turned aside and talked with several of his advisers who were in the room. In the meanwhile he made a gesture to indicate that he was through with Mr. Baker, alias Mr. Munson, and the spy was led from the room and once again taken to his prison in the engine house. In spite of his optimistic nature these repeated cross-examinations were beginning to unnerve him. He was afraid that he might be tripped up in some of his answers, and then he felt sure that he would be stood up against a wall and shot. He felt that such a procedure would make him a martyr, but he had a very natural desire to postpone his martyrdom as long as possible.