, Nancy is very deeply involved in this
mysterious tragedy," murmured Mrs. Bennett, so that she would not be
overheard by others in the crowd.

"It looks that way," agreed Mrs. Warren sadly. "Still, I firmly believe
in her innocence. If the court refuses hearsay evidence, they cannot
then prove that Nancy had a motive for killing Captain Lloyd."

"My husband declares that a military court is the fairest and most
impartial tribunal in the world," pursued Mrs. Bennett. "Hark! What is
that music?" A band, preceding its regiment, had wheeled into
Fourteenth Street, some blocks below, and was marching toward them. The
strains of music, at first faint, grew louder in volume. "It
is--yes--it _is_ 'Dixie'!"

"It's the first time in four years that that tune has been heard in the
nation's capital," declared Mrs. Warren excitedly.

"President Lincoln has just said we captured it along with Richmond,
and that 'Dixie' is national to-day," laughed a staff officer, who had
just entered the building. "Is the hearing over for this afternoon,
ladies?"

"I wish it was," sighed Mrs. Arnold. "We dine at four, and...."

Her words were interrupted by the opening of the folding doors. The
closed session was over. Nancy, accompanied by the judge advocate and
her counsel, preceded the crowd back into the courtroom.

"The court in this instance, when so grave an issue is at stake, has
decided not to accept hearsay evidence," announced the presiding
officer, as soon as all noise in the room had ceased.

Warren drew a long breath of relief. "Then I demand that Symonds'
testimony relating to the despatch be stricken from the records."

"Not so fast, Mr. Senator," sternly admonished the colonel. "It is
possible to get direct evidence in regard to Captain Lloyd's capture of
that despatch. You forget, sir, that he was accompanied by Belden, one
of Colonel Young's scouts. Mr. Judge Advocate, you are directed by the
court to telegraph to General Sheridan's headquarters, requesting that
the said Belden be detached and sent back to Washington to testify
before this court; or, if that is not possible, that his deposition in
the matter be taken and forwarded to us. It is three o'clock,
gentlemen; the court will adjourn until to-morrow morning."

CHAPTER XXII

WEAVING THE WEB

The court convened promptly at nine o'clock the next morning. The first
witness summoned by the judge advocate was Doctor Ward. After the usual
preliminaries had