Taken aback by the cool assurance of the giant, when the man resumed his walk, he had advanced halfway to the house before Noel again hailed him. "Look here, my friend," he called; "I'm sorry to detain you, but the captain might wish to see you." "Well?" inquired the giant in a drawling tone. "Who lives in this house?" demanded Noel. "I do." "Is this house frame or brick?" "I don't know why it concerns you, but it's a frame house, not a brick." "Are you the owner of this house?" "I reckon I am." "What are you doing out here this time of night?" "I told you, sir, that I went out to quiet a disturbance among the cattle." "Can you tell me where Mr. Hilton lives?" "Yes, sir." "Where does he live?" "He lives here." "Are you Mr. Hilton?" "I reckon that's what my neighbors sometimes call me." "Are you a Union man?" "How does that concern you?" demanded the man, still without betraying any signs either of fear or interest. "Because I'm a Union soldier myself." Still the interest of the man apparently was not aroused. Calmly he asked, "And what may you want of me if you're what you say you are?" "If you'll take me into the house I'll explain to you." Noel glanced about as he spoke, for the fear of men stealing upon him through the darkness was still strong upon him. "I reckon we can talk where we are," said the man at last. "Well," said Noel, determined, now that he had revealed his identity, that he would venture to tell the rest of his story. "I came through the valley from Harper's Ferry and was taken prisoner by some of the Johnnies, but managed to get away. I have been traveling all night long and am soaked through and tired and hungry, and if you're what I understand you are, a friend of the Union cause, I hope you'll take me into your house and let me dry my clothes and give me something to eat--" "And bring a dozen bands of Confederates around me like hornets," broke in the man, though still he was not excited and was speaking in the calm, deliberate tones which he had before used. "I have had trouble enough with my secesh neighbors. How do I know who you are or that you are what you tell me you are?" he demanded once more. "You can see for yourself when we go where there is a light." "I reckon you can come in," said the man at last; and eagerly Noel followed him as he led the way into the house. As soon as they entered, the stranger seated himself near the door and bade Noel take a chair near him. A candle had been lighted and placed upon a rude table, and its beams enabled the young soldier to see more clearly the strange man before him. In spite of his apparent indifference Noel was suspicious that he was more excited than he cared to have his visitor know. "What's all this rumpus?" Noel looked up as he heard the words shrilly spoken and saw a woman standing in the doorway of a room which adjoined the kitchen.