d to the War Department to report to the Secretary
of War."

The judge advocate walked over and conferred with Colonel Andrews; then
turned back and addressed Warren courteously.

"I have finished, Mr. Senator. Do you wish to cross-examine the
witness?"

Warren nodded in the affirmative, glanced over his notes, then handed a
slip of paper to the judge advocate, who read the question aloud as he
pasted it in the book in front of him.

"What proof have you, beyond Captain Lloyd's word, that he _took_ that
despatch from the dead confederate, Major Pegram?"

"None, sir," exclaimed Symonds, much astonished.

"Would you question a dead man's word, Mr. Senator?" inquired the judge
advocate sharply.

"I would, sir," declared Warren firmly. He rose and faced Colonel
Andrews. "I respectfully submit to this court that I seriously object
to the introduction of hearsay evidence."

"And I contend, sir," exclaimed the judge advocate, "that Symonds'
testimony is direct evidence. He saw the despatch in Captain Lloyd's
hand."

"You are right there, sir," said Warren courteously. "But Symonds _did
not see_ Captain Lloyd take that despatch from the dead body of the
Confederate. He believes that that paper was taken from Major Pegram
only because Captain Lloyd _told him so_--and _that_, sir, is hearsay
evidence. And I demand in justice to my client, whose life hangs in the
balance, that hearsay evidence be not accepted in this trial."

Major Lane hastily scribbled a few lines, and handed the paper to the
judge advocate, who immediately read the question aloud:

"What induces you to think, Mr. Senator, that Captain Lloyd, a man of
integrity and standing, would manufacture evidence against the
accused?"

"Because of his known animosity toward her," was the prompt reply, "in
proof of which I have direct evidence to offer to this court."

The judge advocate, however, stuck to his argument, and a quick war of
words followed, during which Colonel Andrews bent forward and consulted
Major Lane in an undertone; then came the brief order: "Clear the
court." Warren and the judge advocate ushered Nancy into a small vacant
room, while the spectators were bundled unceremoniously into the hall.

The fresh air in the hall was a relief after the stuffy atmosphere of
the courtroom. Mrs. Warren and her two friends pushed their way to the
end window, opened it, and leaned out, the better to cool their flushed
faces.

"I fear, I greatly fear