spies and spies, and Shepard was one of them, but he was not
like the others. He was unquestionably a man of great mental power.
His calm, steady gaze and his words to the point showed it. No one
patronized Shepard.

"I should like to go into Richmond with you some dark night," said Dick,
who hid a strong spirit of adventure under his quiet exterior.

"You're not serious, Lieutenant Mason?"

"I wasn't, maybe, when I began to say it, but I believe I am now.
Why shouldn't I be curious about Richmond, a place that great armies have
been trying to take for three years? Just at present it's the center
of the world to me in interest."

"You must not think of such a thing, Mr. Mason. Detection means certain
death."

"No more for me than for you."

"But I have had a long experience and I have resources of which you can't
know. Don't think of it again, Mr. Mason."

"I was merely jesting. I won't," said Dick.

He involuntarily looked toward the point beyond the horizon where
Richmond lay, and Shepard meanwhile studied him closely. Young Mason had
not come much under his notice until lately, but now he began to interest
the spy greatly. Shepard observed what a strong, well-built young fellow
he was, tall and slender but extremely muscular. He also bore a marked
resemblance to his cousin, Harry Kenton, and such was the quality of
Shepard that the likeness strongly recommended Dick to him. Moreover,
he read the lurking thought that persisted in Dick's mind.

"You mustn't dream of such a thing as entering Richmond, Mr. Mason,"
he said.

"It was just a passing thought. But aren't you going in again?"

"Later on, no doubt, but not just now. I understand that we're planning
some movement. I don't know what it is, but I'm to wait here until it's
over. Good-by, Mr. Mason. Since things are closing in it's possible
that you and I will see more of each other than before."

"Of course, when I'm personally conducted by you on that trip into
Richmond."

Shepard, who had left the portico, turned and shook a warning finger.

"Dismiss that absolutely and forever from your mind, Mr. Mason," he said.

Dick laughed, and watched the stalwart figure of the spy as he strode
away. Again the singular ease and lightness of his step struck him.
To the lad's fancy the grass did not bend under his feet. Upon Dick as
upon Harry, Shepard made the impression of power, not only of strength
but of subtlety and courage.

"I'm gl