withdrew his hand from hers--withdrew it sharply--flung himself
into a seat beside the table, and began to scribble on the back of
Virgie's rumpled pass; while the child stood watching, trusting, with
the simple trust of her little mother-heart.

In a moment or two, the troopers came hurrying in, with Corporal Dudley
in the lead. He stood at attention, saluted his superior, and made his
report of failure in the search.

"Nothing sir. No tracks around the spring, and no traces of the fellow
anywhere; but--" He stopped. His keen eyes marked the changed position
of the table and followed upward. He saw the outlines of the scuttle
above his head, and smiled. "But I'm glad to see that you've had better
luck yourself."

"Yes, Corporal," said Morrison, with a sharp return of his military
tone, "I think I've found the fox's hole at last." He rose and gave his
orders briskly. "Push that table forward!--there!--below the trap! Two
of you get on it!" He turned to the Corporal, while he himself climbed
up and stood beside his men. "Light that candle and pass it up to me!"
The orders were obeyed. "Now, boys, boost me!--and we'll have him out."

They raised him, till he pushed the trap aside and thrust his head and
shoulders through the opening. From below they could see him as he waved
the lighted candle to and fro, and presently they heard his voice, that
sounded deep and muffled in the shallow loft:

"All right, boys! You can let me down."

He slid to the table and sprang lightly to the floor, facing his
troopers with a smile, half-humorous, half in seeming disappointment, as
he glanced at Virgie.

"I'm afraid the little rebel's right again. _He isn't there!_"

"Oh!" cried Virgie, then clapped her hands across her mouth, while the
troopers slowly looked from her into the level eyes of their commanding
officer. He stood before them, straight and tall, a soldier, every inch
of him; and they knew that Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison was lying like a
gentleman. They knew that their chief was staking the name and title of
an honorable soldier against the higher, grander title of "a man."

Only Corporal Dudley stood disconcerted at the startling statement, but
as there was no help for it he could only strangle an oath and give the
order to pass out.

"_'Tention! Right face! Forward! March!_"

They mounted and rode a rod or two away, awaiting orders; while Morrison
stood silently and watched them go. He, too--like Virgie--had wre