"He cannot get out that way--they are everywhere--all around the house;
I saw them from my window," gasped Bob, just as the sound of trampling
without came to their ears.

"Oh! what will you do! Those clothes! If they catch you in those
clothes!" began Mrs. Stafford, and then stopped, her face growing ashy
pale. Bob also turned even whiter than he had been before. He
remembered the fate of the young man who was found in citizen's clothes
in the autumn. He burst out crying. "Oh, papa! will they hang you?"
he sobbed.

"I hope not, my son," said the Colonel. "Certainly not if I can
prevent it." A gleam of humor stole into his eyes. "It's an awkward
fix, certainly," he added, gravely.

A number of footsteps sounded on the porch, and a thundering knock
shook the door.

"You must conceal yourself," cried Mrs. Stafford. "Come here." She
pulled him almost by main force into a closet or entry, and locked the
door, just as the knocking was renewed. As the front door was
apparently about to be broken down, she went out into the hall. Her
face was deadly white, and her lips were moving in prayer.

"Who's there?" she called, tremblingly, trying to gain time.

"Open the door immediately, or it will be broken down," replied a stern
voice.

She turned the great iron key in the heavy, old, brass lock, and a
dozen men pushed into the hall. They all waited for one, a tall,
elderly man in a general's fatigue-uniform, with a stern face and a
grizzled beard. He addressed her.

"Madam, I have come to take possession of this house as my
head-quarters."

Mrs. Stafford bowed, unable to speak. She was sensible of a feeling of
relief; there was a gleam of hope. If they did not know of her
husband's presence--? But the next word destroyed it.

"We have not interfered with you up to the present time, but you have
been harboring a spy here, and he is here now."

"There is no spy here, and has never been," said Mrs. Stafford, with
dignity. "But if there were, you should not know it from me. It is
not the custom of our people to deliver up those who have sought their
protection." She spoke with much spirit.

The officer removed his hat. His keen eye was fixed on her white face.
"We shall search the premises," he said, still sternly, but more
respectfully than he had yet spoken. "Major, have the house thoroughly
searched."

The men went striding off, opening doors and looking through the rooms.
The General to