pinion that the spy is aided by
some one in Richmond, ostensibly a friend of the Southern cause. What do
you think of it, Captain?"

The young Captain was much startled, but he kept his countenance and
answered with composure:

"I really don't know anything about it, Mr. Sefton. I chanced to be
passing, and as Mr. Talbot, who is one of my best friends, asked me to
go in with him, I did so."

"And it does credit to your zeal," said the Secretary. "It is in fact a
petty business, but that is where you soldiers in the field have the
advantage of us administrators. You fight in great battles and you win
glory, but you don't have anything to do with the little things."

"Our lives are occupied chiefly with little things; the great battles
take but a few hours in our existence."

"But you have a free and open life," said the Secretary. "It is true
that your chance of death is great, but all of us must come to that,
sooner or later. As I said, you are in the open; you do not have any of
the mean work to do."

The Secretary sighed and leaned a little on Prescott's arm. The young
Captain regarded him out of the corner of his eye, but he could read
nothing in his companion's face. Mr. Sefton's air was that of a man
a-weary--one disgusted with the petty ways and intrigues of office.

They walked on together, though Prescott would have escaped could he
have done so, and many people, noting the two thus arm in arm, said to
each other that young Captain Prescott must be rising in favour, as
everybody knew Mr. Sefton to be a powerful man.

Feeling sure that this danger was past for the present, Robert went home
to his mother, who received him in the sitting-room with a slight air of
agitation unusual in one of such a placid temper.

"Well, mother, what is the matter?" he asked. "One would think from your
manner that you have been taking part in this search for the spy."

"And that I am suffering from disappointment because the spy has not
been found?"

"How did you know that, mother?"

"The cook told me. Do you suppose that such an event as this would
escape the notice of a servant? Why, I am prepared to gossip about it
myself."

"Well, mother, there is little to be said. You told me this morning that
you hoped the spy would not be found, and your wish has come true."

"I see no reason to change my wish," she said. "The Confederate
Government has heavier work to do now than to hunt for a spy."

But Prescott noticed