you do the lady a grave injustice. I came here a
prisoner, very much against my will, not even aware whose plantation this
was. I had no suspicion that Mistress Mortimer was outside Philadelphia
until I overheard your conversation with her."

"Overheard! You! In God's name, where were you--"

"In this room; with both doors ajar it was impossible not to hear. You
spoke somewhat angrily, you may remember, not finding the lady as
gracious in her reception as expected."

The sarcasm in my tone stung him, but the surprise was so great that he
could only rip out an oath.

"I thought you would have also enjoyed swearing at that time," I
continued coolly, "only you scarcely dared venture so far. You had
previously boasted to me of your engagement to the lady, and it naturally
was a surprise to observe how lovingly she greeted you--"

"Hell's acre!" he burst out. "Did the minx know you were there?"

"If you refer to Mistress Mortimer, I presume she suspected it. At least
she came to me shortly thereafter."

"Then I understand better what troubled the girl. But, in God's name! how
did you ever escape me? I was in every room of the house."

I smiled pleasantly. There was nothing for me to gain, or lose, by
goading him, yet it was rather enjoyable.

"That, of course, I must naturally refuse to answer, Captain. I might
need to resort to the same methods again."

"There will be small chance of your having opportunity. Mortimer will
hang you fast enough when I tell my tale. Don't look for mercy at his
hands, for he's prouder than Lucifer of his family honor."

He was out of the door, striding down the hall, bent on carrying out his
purpose. I heard his voice asking where the Colonel was to be found; then
the guard closed the barrier between us. Very well, of the two I would
rather leave my fate to Mortimer than to him, and felt profoundly
grateful that the Captain was not in command. Had he been I should
doubtless have been hung without the slightest formality of trial, but
Mortimer would at least hear my version first; indeed I could hardly
believe he would issue so stringent orders without listening also to his
daughter's story. I was an officer of rank; the consequences might prove
rather serious were I to be executed summarily, and without proper trial.
No matter how hot-headed Colonel Mortimer might be, on an occasion like
this he would certainly require more convincing evidence than Grant's
unsupported statement, be