s and the sharp chin, looking as if it had been
cut from a piece of steel, was the possessor of uncanny wisdom. Beyond a
doubt she knew where the marksman was hidden, and, unless he watched her
ceaselessly, she would give him a signal of some kind.

Perhaps he was hidden in the garden among the rose bushes, and he would
see her hand, if it was raised ever so slightly. Maybe that was why the
window was open, because the clearest glass even could obscure a signal
meant to be faint, unnoticed by all except the one for whom it was
intended. He would have that garden searched thoroughly when the
sergeant returned, and his heart beat with a throb of relief when he
heard the stalwart Whitley's footstep once more at the door.

"We have found nothing, sir," said the sergeant. "We've explored every
place big enough to hide a cat."

"Search the garden out there," said Dick. "Look behind every vine and
bush."

"You will at least spare my roses," said the woman.

"They shall not be harmed," replied the lieutenant, "but my men must see
what, if anything, is in the garden."

She said no more. She had not even raised her head when she spoke,
and the sergeant and his men went into the garden. They looked
everywhere but they damaged nothing. They did not even break off a
single flower for themselves. Dick had felt confident that after the
failure to find the sharpshooter in the house he would be discovered
there, but his net brought in no fish.

He glanced at the sergeant, who happened to glance at him at the same
time. Each read the look in the eyes of the other. Each said that they
had failed, that they were wasting time, that there was nothing to be
gained by hunting longer for a single enemy, that it was time to ride on,
as flankers on the right of the main column.

"Madame," said Dick politely, "we leave you now. I repeat my regret at
being compelled to search your house in this manner. My duty required it,
although we have found nobody."

"You found nobody because nobody is here."

"Evidently it is so. Good-by. We wish you well."

"Good-by. I hope that all of you will be shot by our brave troops before
night!"

The wish was uttered with the most extraordinary energy and fierceness.
For the first time she had raised her level tone, and the lifted
eyes that looked into Dick's were blazing with hate. He uttered an
exclamation and stepped back. Then he recovered himself and said
politely:

"Madame, I