"I am quite certain that your aunt is keeping all of the things which were taken from my wife's person at the time of her death, and also the clothing Jack wore when he was rescued. I wish to obtain possession of those things, or, failing that, I want to get a minute description of them." "Do you want me to get the things for you?" "If you can." "But my aunt may object to giving them up." At this the face of Dr. Mackey fell. "I'm afraid you don't quite understand me, Mr. Ruthven. I don't want your aunt to know anything about it." "Oh!" St. John's face became a study. "You--er--you wish me to get the things on the sly?" "Yes. You must remember they belong to me. But if you tell Mrs. Ruthven she will be sure to raise a big fuss, and that is what I wish to avoid." "I don't see how I can get the things?" "Can't you get your aunt or your cousin to show them to you? Then you can watch where they are put, and the rest ought to be easy." "I'm afraid my aunt is very careful of the things. I have heard her say as much, to my cousin Marion." "Well, you ought to take a little risk. Remember, it is to your interest to help me in establishing my claim to Jack." "I'll do what I can," replied St. John, after a moment's consideration. "I would like to get the things as soon as possible." "I'll go over to my aunt's plantation the first thing in the morning. But she may not want to listen to me just now. She is extra busy, you know." "With those wounded Confederate soldiers?" "Not only with those, but she also has a Federal officer there--brought in a few days ago." "A Federal officer? Does she sympathize with the North?" "She does to some extent." "Who is the fellow?" "A Colonel Stanton." At the mention of that name Dr. Mackey leaped up in alarm. "What! that man--in her house!" he gasped. "Do you know Colonel Stanton?" "I--that is--I know of him. Is he badly wounded?" "I think he is." "I hope he dies then. He is--a--a--very bad customer to meet." "I can't understand why my aunt makes so much of him." "Tell me, has this Colonel Stanton met Jack?" "Yes, they met some time ago, when the Yankees first came to this neighborhood." "Ah!" Dr. Mackey drew a long breath. "I wonder what Jack thought of the colonel?" "He likes the Yankee very much." "Humph! Well, there is no accounting for tastes." Dr. Mackey pulled himself together with an effort. "If you see this Colonel Stanton don't tell him about me, or repeat anything I have said, will you?" "I don't want to see the Yankee. I haven't any use for any of them." "Colonel Stanton ought to be arrested as a spy. I know for a fact that he once entered our lines and reported our movements to his superiors. It would be a feather in your cap if you could have him arrested by the Confederate authorities." "By Jove! do you really think that?" asked St. John, with renewed interest. "I do."