The bell rang, and the captain entered the car. There was a little delay, and Fred, who had got on the rear of the car, said to himself, "This little delay is a blessed thing for me, for it helps me carry out my plan." He waited until the train was getting under good headway, and then entered the car puffing and blowing and dropped into the seat beside the captain, where he sat panting as if entirely exhausted.
"You seem to have had a hard run for it, my boy," said the captain.
"Y-e-s,—had—to—make—it. Had—to—see—you," panted Fred, speaking in gasps.
"Had to see me!" exclaimed the startled captain. "I reckon there must be some mistake."
"No—mis-mistake. Wa-wait—until—I—catch—my—breath," and Fred sat puffing as if he had run a mile race. His companion eyed him not only in surprise, but with suspicion.
After Fred had let sufficient time elapse to regain his breath, he said in a low tone: "You are Captain Conway of the State Guards, are you not?"
"Yes, but what of that?"
"You have just received an important letter from Major Hockoday to be delivered in Louisville."
Captain Conway stared at Fred in astonishment; then said in a fierce whisper, "How do you know that?"
"Don't get excited," whispered Fred; "don't attract attention, or all is lost. Listen! Hardly had the major placed the letter in your hands before he received the startling intelligence that he had been watched, and you spotted. Do you see those two men in the rear of the car, one in the uniform of a Federal officer, the other a keen looking fellow?"