"Nothing, sir."
The general struck a bell on the desk before him.
"Orderly," he said, as a soldier presented himself, "my compliments to the assistant adjutant-general. Ask him to come here. Ah, General Wylie," he said as that functionary presented himself, "will you make out an order assembling a court-martial to try Lieutenant Rhett Sempland, here, for disobedience of orders and neglect of duty in the presence of the enemy, and—well, that will be enough, I think," he continued after a pause which was fraught with agony to Sempland at least, lest the general should mention cowardice or treason again. "Meanwhile see that Mr. Sempland is carefully guarded here in the headquarters building."
"Very good, sir," said the officer, saluting. "This way, Mr. Sempland."
CHAPTER XI
THE CONFESSION THAT CLEARED
As the two men left the room the orderly entered it once more and announced to the general that a lady was below who asked the privilege of an interview with him.
"Lady? What lady?" demanded Beauregard, impatiently.