St. Louis. You know
there are a good many Dutchmen there, and they are mostly strong for the
Union. During one of the riots they fired into their own ranks instead
of into the mob, and that made them so wild with rage that they are
ready to hang every Confederate they can get their hands on, without
judge or jury."

"A bearer of dispatches," repeated Rodney, once more seating himself in
his chair. "And did Drummond send off that telegram when he knew there
wasn't a word of truth in it?"

"Course. Don't I tell you that he's too mean for any use? He and
Randolph are and always have been cronies, and I heard them talking and
laughing over the dispatches as though they thought they were going to
get a big joke on you."

"What other thing has Drummond done that's mean?" inquired Rodney.

"Let's talk about something else," replied Griffin, evasively.

"Just as you please," answered the Barrington boy. "But I shouldn't
think you would take the trouble to come to Baton Rouge and run the risk
of losing your position in the telegraph office, unless you are willing
to trust me entirely. I asked for information and not out of curiosity.
If Drummond attempts any foolishness with you, my father may be able to
checkmate him."

"Well, then," said the operator, with some hesitation. "You musn't
betray me. Drummond has sent the names of all the Union men in and
around Mooreville to the Governor."

"Why, I didn't suppose there were any Union men there," exclaimed
Rodney, who was greatly surprised.

"Of course you didn't. You wouldn't expect one of them to make himself
known to as hot a Confederate as you are known to be, would you? There
are plenty of people at home who don't suspect such a thing, but I don't
mind telling you of it, for you are not mean enough to persecute a man
who differs from you in opinion."

Rodney thrust both hands deep into his pockets, slid farther down in his
chair, and fastened his eyes on the carpet without saying a word. What
would his visitor think of him if he knew that he had been mean enough
to do just that very thing that in order to punish his cousin for his
Union sentiments and drive him away from the academy, he had written a
letter to Budd Goble which came within an ace of bringing Marcy Gray a
terrible beating? The matter came vividly to Rodney's recollection now,
and he would have given everything he ever hoped to possess if he could
have blotted out that one act.

"Yes, there are Union