the boom of the distant guns in the
fortifications about Washington firing the two hundred salutes ordered
by Secretary Stanton. On entering the long room assigned for the use of
the court, he found the members of the military commission had
assembled. Warren already knew Colonel Andrews, who, by the seniority
of his rank, was the president of the commission, and they exchanged a
few words of greeting. The colonel beckoned to a tall, bearded officer
standing by the door to approach.

"Senator Warren, let me introduce Captain Foster, the judge advocate."

The two men examined each other covertly and with keen interest; they
both realized the gravity of the struggle before them--a young girl's
life hung in the balance--as they gravely shook hands.

"If you are ready, Mr. Senator, we will call the court to order, as we
are already very late, having been detained by the celebration of Lee's
surrender," said Foster courteously. "The necessary witnesses are in
the next room, and the sergeant tells me the prisoner is downstairs
under guard."

At that moment a young man came into the room, and, seeing Warren,
strode over to him.

"Good morning, Dwight," said the senator. "Colonel Andrews--Captain
Foster--this is my colleague, Mr. Dwight, a member of the Washington
Bar, who will assist me in my defence of Miss Newton. I am quite ready
to commence at once, Captain Foster."

In the meantime the seats provided for the spectators in the back of
the room were being rapidly filled. Both Miss Metoaca and Nancy were
very popular in Washington society, and all their friends and relatives
who could procure cards of admission from the authorities had arrived
early so as not to miss any of the proceedings.

A long table with writing materials on it had been provided for the use
of the members of the court, and a smaller one for Nancy and her
counsel was placed near it. Facing the two tables was a chair for the
witnesses, and beyond that another small table for the use of the
reporters.

The officers, who wore their full-dress uniforms and side arms, were
soon seated about the table, with the presiding officer, Colonel
Andrews, at the head, and the judge advocate, Captain Foster, in
undress uniform, facing him at the foot. At a signal from the judge
advocate, one of the orderlies in attendance stepped to the door and
spoke to the sentry.

In a few minutes, Nancy was ushered into the room by the provost
sergeant of the guard. War