o
the second story to announce visitors, had not waited to take a message
to Symonds, but returned at once to her domain by way of the back
stairs. Lloyd's voice was so imperative that Symonds took the steps two
at a time, and arrived breathless at the top, to find Lloyd, booted and
spurred, and covered from head to foot with a thick layer of mud,
waiting impatiently for him.

"I have caught her, Symonds," he cried exultingly. "By God! I've caught
her this time." Then, more calmly: "I have absolute proof here,"
tapping his chest, "that she is a rebel spy. Come in, and I will tell
you about it." And half dragging Symonds into his sitting room, he
slammed to the door. "It's been a long chase and a stern chase, but I
have won at last." He dropped heavily into an armchair, and signed to
Symonds to take the one opposite him.

"That is splendid!" said Symonds, with satisfaction. "I was afraid
something had happened to you, Captain, and have just been over to the
Bureau to find out if they had news of you. They told me they knew
nothing of your whereabouts, so I stopped here to ask Major Goddard if
he could tell me where you were."

"Was Colonel Baker at the Bureau?"

"No, sir; he is in Baltimore, but will be back to-night."

"What has Miss Newton been doing since her return to Washington?"

"Nothing of a suspicious character. I hear that she is going to Mrs.
Arnold's ball to-night."

"Well, we will put an end to her masterly inactivity." Lloyd chuckled
so vindictively that Symonds glanced at him in surprise.

"You seem to hate Miss Newton, Captain?"

"Hate? Well, perhaps that is too strong a word, Symonds, though I can
be a good hater of those who have wronged me. Miss Newton's cleverness
put me on my mettle. I cannot say I enjoyed being outwitted by a girl,
but I could forgive her that. What has roused my dislike, my bitter
dislike, is that she has turned Major Goddard against me. I can never
forgive her for that. He has been my lifelong friend; now, he avoids
me--and it cuts deep!" Lloyd spoke with intense feeling.

"How comes it, then, that you have the same rooms here?"

"Probably Major Goddard is planning to move to another boarding house;
I have not seen him since my return. Mrs. Lane told me he had gone for
a drive, accompanied by his attendant. I am glad he is out, for I do
not relish telling him Miss Newton will be arrested to-night. I prefer
to have him learn it from some one else."

"You say you have