CHAPTER XXXI. FATHER AND SON--CONCLUSION. "Jack, do you mean to say you would put your own father in prison?" asked Dr. Mackey reproachfully, after Old Ben had tied his hands behind him. "I would--were he such a fraud and villain as you, Dr. Mackey," was our hero's calm reply. "You will never make me believe that any of your blood flows in my veins." "Then you believe I am an impostor?" "I do." The doctor fell back and sank on a bench. Jack's firm manner appeared to take his nerve from him. "What shall you do next?" he asked finally. "Take you straight to our plantation." "No! no! Colonel----" Dr. Mackey stopped short. "Do not take me there, I beg of you!" "But I shall take you there, and what is more, I am going to find out what Colonel Stanton has to say concerning you." At this the surgeon grew as pale as death. "You--have no right to take me to the plantation. Remember, I am a Confederate officer. If you keep me a prisoner, you will be liable to heavy punishment." "We'll risk it." Jack turned to Columbus Washington. "See if the rain is letting up." The colored man went out and presently reported that the worst of the storm seemed over. "Then we will start," said Jack. "Now, Dr. Mackey, if you try to escape, I will order Old Ben to fire at you." "You are very hard on your father." "If you call me your son again, I will knock you down where you stand." At this curt threat the surgeon relapsed into silence, his brow showing plainly that he was in deep thought. The cabin was soon left behind, and Columbus Washington showed the most direct route to the Ruthven plantation. Jack came behind the colored man, with Dr. Mackey beside him, and Old Ben brought up the rear, his gun ready to shoot at the first sign of opposition upon the prisoner's part. The first streaks of dawn were beginning to show themselves when the party of four came in sight of the mansion. As they came closer Dr. Mackey showed increased alarm over the situation. "Jack, let us come to terms," he said presently. "What terms?" "For reasons of my own I do not wish to visit Mrs. Ruthven's house while Colonel Stanton is under her roof." "Surely you are not afraid of a sick man, even if he is a Yankee spy." At this the surgeon winced. "It is not that. I--I----" "I will not listen to you. March!" "But, Jack----" "March, I say, or Old Ben shall fire on you." With something resembling a groan the surgeon went on, and in a few minutes more the party gained the piazza, and Jack was using the big knocker on the door lustily. "Who is there?" came from an upper window, and then Mrs. Ruthven uttered a cry of joy. "Jack!" "Yes, mother; I am back again; safe and sound," he answered. Mrs. Ruthven was soon down and let him in. She was naturally startled to behold Dr. Mackey, especially as a prisoner. "What can this mean?" she began, and then looked at Jack curiously. "Jack, do you know the truth?" "What truth, mother?" "That this man is an impostor."