and he
took both of the newcomers in charge.

An examination in a tent pitched some distance back from the stream
evidently proved satisfactory to several officers present, and the spy
was allowed to proceed on his way, and much to Deck's astonishment he
was asked to come along.

"Are you going to take me to the prisoner's camp?" asked Deck, as they
walked away.

"We will talk about that later, Major. By the way, what is your name?"

"Major Dexter Lyon."

"Well, Major Lyon, I presume you do not relish being a prisoner?"

"Hardly, Captain Brentford."

"I see you caught my name up to the tent. It saves me the trouble of
introducing myself. I am Captain Brentford, of General Bragg's staff."

"I presume you gained considerable information while inside the Union
lines," went on Deck, curiously.

"I did gain a good deal, but not as much as one would wish. Your fellows
are pretty close-mouthed. I must give them credit for it. I wish I could
say as much for our gallant boys of the South."

"I don't suppose it will do me any good to ask where you have been."

"Oh, I won't mind telling you, now we are over here. I have been up to
the Widow Glenn's house."

"To General Rosecrans' headquarters!" gasped Deck, in consternation.

"I see it almost overwhelms you to think a Southern spy could get close
to Union headquarters. A clever trick did it--a trick I learned when I
was in the detective bureau at Washington."

"You impersonated one of our officers?"

"Exactly. The poor fellow was dead, and I donned his coat and hat, fixed
up my face to suit, and took his place for ten hours. It was tough on
the dead officer, but he will never make a kick."

"I believe you killed him," said Deck, bluntly.

A frown crossed the face of Captain Brentford. "We will let that pass,
Major Lyon; it will do no good for us to say things which are
unpleasant. I want you to look at something else."

"Look at something else?"

"Your own personal position. Do you realize the nasty situation you are
in?"

"Having heard of the horrors of your Southern prisons, I think I do."

"It is my duty to hand you over to the officers at the prisoners' camp,
a mile or so from here."

"I suppose you will do your duty."

"To make a prisoner of such a young and promising fellow as yourself
seems a great pity."

"I am willing to take what comes, as the fortunes of war," replied Deck,
who did not propose to be led into showing the white feather, esp