"You should remember that the picture was taken more than a year ago; and that I have been an invalid for ten months of the time," suggested the rebel soldier. "That may be; but I am sure this picture could never have been taken for you." "Let me see it, if you please?" Sue handed him the card, and he glanced at it with an expression of great curiosity. "Where did you get this picture?" demanded he. "It was sent to me by the original," replied she. "This is not my picture." "That is just what the other gentleman said; and I am perfectly willing to believe both of you." "But I sent you a picture of myself, though this is not the one." "Well, that is very singular." "If you will remember, there were two in the same letter; the other was a young man whom Owen was acquainted with, and who desired something to remember him by. He is in a Mississippi regiment now." "Dear me! what a blunder!" exclaimed Sue, laughing heartily. "I am sure I took the best looking of the two for Allan Garland's." "Perhaps that is not very complimentary to me; but where is the other picture?" "I put it in Owen's room. I told him what I had done with the two pictures; but he has been at home so little, that I suppose he never looked at them. I will get the other." "We are beginning to get a little light on the subject," said Mr. Raynes, when his daughter had left the room. "And I think you will let a little light through my body with a bullet-hole," added Somers, whose last hope was gone again, though his impudence still remained. "Be patient, young man; we shall soon see the mystery explained, and be able to inform you whether you are Allan Garland or not." "I am sorry to put you to so much trouble, Mr. Raynes; but you will remember that I was very much opposed to coming into your house at all; that I was literally dragged in by yourself and your daughter." "And you will also remember that I saved you from arrest, when you gave your name as Allan Garland, of the Fourth Alabama. I think I have imparted to you some very valuable information; and I intend to see what use is to be made of it, before I take my eyes off you." "You are very affectionate, Mr. Raynes; and, in behalf of the great Southern Confederacy, I thank you for the zeal and loyalty which you have displayed," replied Somers boldly; for it was plain that nothing but the most brazen impudence could save him. "You are a bold youth, and it is plain that you have brilliant talents; I hope they have not been abused." "They have been, and will continue to be, used in the service of my suffering country." "I like you, and I hope everything is all right about you; but I cannot see your object in coming here under an assumed name." "Then you have decided the case against me--have you?" said Somers, glancing at the rival Allan. "Perhaps I was a little too fast," added the old man, mortified to find that his character for strict justice had been compromised by this hasty avowal.