the
second was a country merchant of middle age, and the third was a young
man of twenty-five, who had very little to say. The legislator, whose
name was Ramsay, soon learned Colonel Talbot's identity, and he would
have proclaimed it to everybody about him, had not the colonel begged
him not to do so.

"But you will at least permit me to shake your hand, Colonel Talbot,"
he said. "One who can give up his commission in the army and come back
to us as you have done is the kind of man we need."

Colonel Talbot gave a reluctant hand.

"I am proud to have felt the grasp of one who will win many honors in
the coming war," said Ramsay.

"Or more likely fill a grave," said Colonel Talbot, dryly.

The silent young man across the table looked at the South Carolinian
with interest, and Harry in his turn examined this stranger. He was
built well, shaven smoothly, and did not look like a Tennesseean.
His thin lips, often pressed closely together, seemed to indicate a
capacity for silence, but when he saw Harry looking at him he smiled
and said:

"I gather from your conversation that you are going to Charleston.
All southern roads seem to lead to that town, and I, too, am going
there. My name is Shepard, William J. Shepard, of St. Louis."

Colonel Talbot turned a measuring look upon him. It was so intent and
comprehensive that the young man flushed slightly, and moved a little in
his seat.

"So you are from St. Louis?" said the colonel. "That is a great city,
and you must know something about the feeling there. Can you tell me
whether Missouri will go out?"

"I cannot," replied Shepard. "No man can. But many of us are at work."

"What do you think?" persisted Colonel Talbot.

"I am hoping. Missouri is really a Southern state, the daughter of
Kentucky, and she ought to join her Southern sisters. As the others
go out one by one, I think she will follow. The North will not fight,
and we will form a peaceful Southern republic."

Colonel Leonidas Talbot of South Carolina swept him once more with that
intent and comprehensive gaze.

"The North will fight," he said. "As I told my young friend here last
night, a great and terrible war is coming."

"Do you think so?" asked Shepard, and it seemed to Harry that his tone
had become one of overwhelming interest. "Then Charleston, as its
center and origin, ought to be ready. How are they prepared there for
defense?"

Colonel Talbot's eyes never left Shepard's face