rom that locality."

"H--m! Dark as Erebus, apparently, along the South Branch!"

"Just so." General Banks paced again the roses. "Pshaw! It's all right.
I never saw a straighter looking fellow. I just thought I would ask you
the nature of his talk along the road--"

"It was hardly of military matters, sir. But if you wish to detain
him--"

"General Kelly must have my letter. I'm not to move, and it's important
that he should know it."

"Why not question him again?"

The general came back to the big chair beside the table. "I have no
doubt he's as honest as I am." He looked at the clock. "After
midnight!--and I've been reviewing troops all day. Do you think it's
worth while, captain?"

"In war very little things are worth while, sir."

"But you were with him all afternoon, and he seemed perfectly all
right--"

"Yes, sir, I liked him very well." He pulled at his long yellow
moustache. "There was only one little circumstance.... If you are
doubtful, sir--The papers, of course, might be forged."

The late Governor of Massachusetts rested irresolute. "Except that he
was born in Virginia there isn't a reason for suspecting him. And it's
our policy to conciliate all this shaded corner up here." The clock
struck the half-hour. General Banks looked longingly toward his bedroom.
"I've been through the mill to-day. It's pretty hard on a man, this
working over time.--Where's he lodging?"

"McNeill, sir? He said he would find quarters with some connection or
other--a Catholic priest--"

"A Catholic--There again!" The general looked perturbed. Rising, he took
from a desk two or three pages of blue official paper, covered with
writing. "I got that from Washington to-day, from the Secret Service
Department. Read it."

Captain Marchmont read: "'Distrust without exception the Catholic
priests in Frederick City. There is reason to believe that the Catholics
throughout Maryland are Secessionists. Distrust all Maryland, in fact.
The Jesuits have a house at Frederick City. They are suspected of
furnishing information. Keep them under such surveillance as your
judgment shall indicate.'--Humph!"

General Banks sighed, poured out something from a decanter, and drank
it. "I guess, captain, you had better go and bring that man from the
South Branch back here. Take a few men and do it quietly. He seems a
gentleman, and there may be absolutely nothing wrong. Tell him I've
something to add to General Kelly's letter. Here's a list