her but a short time
before.

General Butler spread them before him for inspection.

"You can see for yourself that they contain important information," he
said to Farragut. "This thing would be all right if Archer were loyal;
otherwise it may show how it happens that the enemy obtains so much
information that it should not. The girl is certainly an emissary of
the Confederates."

"A what?" cried Jeanne starting forward indignantly, for the General had
raised his voice and she had overheard the last words. "What did you say,
sir?"

"I said," and the General turned to her abruptly and spoke sternly, "that
unless you can prove otherwise, that you are sent with these papers to
Archer for the rebels."

"Why, my father sent me," cried the girl blankly. "He is in the employ
of the government and so is Mr. Archer."

"Archer was until quite recently, but he is now under arrest on strong
suspicion of giving information to the enemy. You see everything is known,
child. Tell the truth. Who sent you here?"

"My father," said Jeanne again, looking piteously from one to the other.
"Oh, what does he mean, Admiral? What does he mean?"

"Child," Farragut took her hand kindly. "Tell me truly. What is your
father?"

"He is in the employ of the government," reiterated Jeanne vehemently. "He
sends communications all over the states, because he told me so. He said
that telegraphs were not to be trusted, nor the mails either. For that
reason people were sent to the different cities with information about
the government."

"That proves nothing," said the General, "unless it can be substantiated.
Why then do you want to visit your uncle--if you are loyal--when he is
such a rebel?"

"A rebel?" cried Jeanne recoiling in horror. "Is my uncle a rebel?"

CHAPTER XI

CLEARED OF SUSPICION

The girl stared at them as if unable to believe the evidence of her senses.

"A rebel!" she repeated wildly. "My uncle a rebel? It cannot be!"

Her consternation was so apparent that General Butler almost believed in
her. Farragut's clouded face cleared instantly, and he turned to the other
quickly.

"Whatever scheme is afoot that girl knows nothing of it," he said. "Why,
Butler, she carries a United States flag in her breast, and you should
hear her talk. I am sure that she is as loyal to the Union as either you
or I."

"It may be, Admiral. One thing in her favor is the fact that you believe
in her. Let me see! How was it that you s