“We’ve got one of them, and it won’t take long to get the other,” said Arrelsford, in a fierce, truculent whisper.
“The one you caught, was he here in Richmond?” asked Mrs. Varney, greatly affected by the other’s overwhelming emotion.
“No, he was brought in last night with a lot of men we captured in a little sortie.”
“Taken prisoner?”
“Yes, but without resistance.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He let himself be taken. That’s one of their tricks for getting into our lines when they want to bring a message or give some signal.”
“You mean that they deliberately allow themselves to be taken to Libby Prison?”
“Yes, damn them!” said Arrelsford harshly. “I beg your pardon, ma’am, but——”
Mrs. Varney waved her hand as if Mr. Arrelsford’s oaths, like his presence, were nothing to her.