e me my freedom? Answer,--yes or no."

"Yes," faltered Augustus.

"And did you give it me?"

"No." And Augustus felt that out of his own mouth he was condemned.

"Well, I shall keep my promise better than you kept yours. Comply with
all I demand of you (this is what I said), and no part of you, neither
flesh nor hair, shall be harmed."

"What do you demand of me?"

"This. Here are pen and ink. Write as I dictate."

"What?"

"An order to have the fighting on your side discontinued, and your
forces withdrawn."

Augustus hesitated to take the pen.

"I have no words to waste. If you do not comply readily with what I
require, it is no object for me that you should comply at all."

Penn came and stood by Pomp, looking calm and determined as he. Virginia
came also, and looked upon the prisoner, without a smile, without a
frown, but strangely serious and still. These were the three against
whom he had sinned in the days of his power and pride; and now his shame
was bare before them. He took the quill, bit the feather-end of it in
supreme perplexity of soul, then wrote.

"Very well," said Pomp, reading the order. "But you have forgotten to
sign it." Augustus signed. "Now write again. A letter to your colonel.
Mr. Hapgood, please dictate the terms."

Penn understood the whole scheme; he had consulted with Virginia, and he
was prepared.

"A safe conduct for Mr. Villars, his daughter and servants, beyond the
confederate lines. This is all I have to insist upon."

"I," said Pomp, "ask more. The man who betrayed us must be sent here."

"If you mean Sprowl," said Bythewood, "his wife has no doubt saved the
trouble."

"Not Sprowl, but Deslow."

Bythewood was terrified. Pomp had spoken with the positiveness of clear
knowledge and unalterable determination. But how was it possible to
comply with his demand? Deslow had been promised not only pardon, but
protection from the very men he betrayed! Therefore he could not be
given up to them without the most cowardly and shameful perfidy.

"I have no influence whatever with the military authorities," the
prisoner said, after taking ample time for consideration.

"You forget what you boasted to Sprowl, under the bridge," said Penn.

"You forget what you just now boasted to me," said Virginia.

"Call it boasting," said Bythewood, doggedly. "Absolutely, I have not
the power to effect what you require."

"It is your misfortune, then," said Pomp. "To have boasted so, an