interested to learn the result of his trial."

"He may be found guilty," he quietly announced.

"Why do you say that?"

"The evidence was wholly against him."

"And there was no testimony to the effect that Colonel Forrest was
somewhat intoxicated, or that he spoke disparaging words against the
Captain's co-religionists, or that he attacked the character of the
Commander-in-chief?"

"There was to some extent, but it did not seem to make any impression."

"I presume that you know the reason."

Her eyes gleamed a little.

"Why?"

There was a pause.

"The verdict has not been given. I shall be pleased to inform you of it
at the earliest opportunity."

"Thank you. I shall be delighted. But let's not talk about it any more,"
she added. "Let's leave it."

Mr. Anderson smiled.

II

It was perhaps an hour after dawn that Stephen awoke for about the third
or fourth time that night; for the conflict still surged within him and
would give him no peace. And, as he lay there, awake in an instant,
staring into the brightness of the morn, once more weighing the
mysterious disclosures of the evening, swayed by the desire for action
at one moment, overcome with sadness at the next, the thought of the
impending verdict of his trial occurred at him and made him rise very
hurriedly.

He was an early arrival at Headquarters. There had been several matters
disposed of during the preceding day and the verdicts would be announced
together. The room where the court was being held was already stirring
with commotion; his judge-advocate was there, as was Colonel Forrest,
Mr. Anderson, several members of the General's staff, and Mr. Allison,
who had sought entry to learn the decision. Suddenly a dull solemn
silence settled over all as the members of the court filed slowly into
the room.

They took their places with their usual dignity, and began to dispose of
the several cases in their turn. When that of Captain Meagher was
reached Stephen was ordered to appear before the court to hear his
sentence.

He took his place before them with perfect calmness. He observed that
not one of them ventured to meet his eye as he awaited their utterance.

They found that he was not justified in making the attack upon a
superior officer, notwithstanding the alleged cause for provocation, and
that he was imprudent in his action, yet because of his good character,
as testified to by his superior officers, because of the mitigating
circu