ction
of Buell, where it is likely that he had gone to take a dispatch."

"Did you find any answer upon him."

"My men searched him carefully, sir, but found nothing."

"He is in the uniform of a staff officer. Have you found to what
regiment in the Union army he belongs?"

"He is on the staff of Colonel Arthur Winchester, who commands one of
the Kentucky regiments. I have also to tell you, sir, that his name is
Richard Mason, and that he is my nephew."

"Ah," said General Johnston, "it is one of the misfortunes of civil war
that so many of us fight against our own relatives. For those who live
in the border states yours is the common lot."

But Dick was conscious that the six generals were gazing at him with
renewed interest.

"Your surmise about his having been to Buell is no doubt correct," said
Beauregard quickly and nervously. "You left General Buell this morning,
did you not, Mr. Mason?"

Dick remained silent.

"It is also true that Buell's army is worn down by his heavy march
over muddy roads," continued Beauregard as if he had not noticed Dick's
failure to reply.

Dick's teeth were shut firmly, and he compressed his lips. He stood
rigidly erect, gazing now at the flickering flames of the little fire.

"I suggest that you try him on some other subject than Buell, General
Beauregard," said the bishop-general, a faint twinkle appearing in his
eyes. Johnston sat silent, but his blue eyes missed nothing.

"It is true also, is it not," continued Beauregard, "that General Grant
has gone or is going tonight to Savannah to meet General Buell, and
confer with him about a speedy advance upon our army at Corinth?"

Dick clenched his teeth harder than ever, and a spasm passed over his
face. He was conscious that six pairs of eyes, keen and intent, ready to
note the slightest change of countenance and to read a meaning into it,
were bent upon him. It was only by a supreme effort that he remained
master of himself, but after the single spasm his countenance remained
unmoved.

"You do not choose to answer," said Bragg, always a stern and ruthless
man, "but we can drag what you know from you."

"I am a prisoner of war," replied Dick steadily. "I was taken in full
uniform. I am no spy, and you cannot ill treat me."

"I do not mean that we would inflict any physical suffering upon you,"
said Bragg. "The Confederacy does not, and will never resort to such
methods. But you are only a boy. We can question you here