absolute proof of her guilt?" questioned Symonds.

"Absolute. She will not slip through my fingers this time. As I told
you in Winchester, Symonds, I was convinced that Major Goddard, to
shield Miss Newton, told a deliberate lie when he said he had been in
that room over half an hour. I was sure she had seen and talked with
that rebel spy; so I wasted no time making further inquiries at the
house, but, with Colonel Young's permission, took Belden and started in
pursuit of him.

"Belden knows that country like a book, and he guessed the route the
rebel would take. We had two of the best horses in the cavalry, and, to
cut a long story short, we headed him off, and forced him back toward
our lines. His horse was almost spent when we came up with him. It was
two to one. He died bravely. We found his name on an envelope, 'George
Pegram, --th Virginia Cavalry,' and this paper." Lloyd unbuttoned his
coat, and drew out a leather wallet. "Here it is--see"--he opened a
small crumpled paper--"not only the cipher message verbatim, as
received that afternoon in Winchester, but the key to our code. It is
damning evidence, and it will hang her." He folded the paper, replaced
it in his pocketbook, which he slipped back in his inside coat pocket;
then resumed his story:

"We were returning to Winchester when we almost ran slam-bang into some
of Mosby's guerillas. To avoid them, we had to go miles out of our way.
Twice we were nearly captured by scouting parties of Early's forces;
then some of Lomax' cavalry chased us still deeper inside the rebel
lines. It took us four days to reach Snicker's Gap, and so on to
Washington. Since I last saw you, I have been constantly in the saddle
without rest and without sufficient food." Lloyd's face was drawn and
haggard, and his eyes inflamed and heavy from lack of sleep. Seeing
Symonds' look of concern, he added: "Mrs. Lane brought me up a cold
lunch. I intended going at once to see Colonel Baker, but, as he is
away, I will let you apply for the necessary papers to arrest her. I
must get some sleep. I cannot stay awake another moment. Stay," as
Symonds hastened to the hall door. "You meet Colonel Baker; tell him
what I have told you, and have him arrest the girl. And send a
messenger to me when she is taken to the provost marshal's, and I will
join you there." He stretched himself and yawned. "Be sure and send for
me, Symonds," he called, "for I shall sleep like the dead."

"All right, Captain;