“Now Colonel Corsoni has sent out men in pursuit of the boy. If he really was a spy, and succeeds in effecting his escape, he will make for the nearest fort in the lines forming the Southern Defences of Washington, which are on this side of the river, you know; and he will betray the retreat of the Free Sword and bring the enemy upon us probably before we can escape.”
“Lord grant he may!” muttered Elfie between her teeth.
“And on the other hand, if he should be re-captured, he will certainly be doomed to death, for the Free Sword never yet spared a spy. Every way I look the prospect is full of horror. It is for our returning scouts with their prisoner that I listen so anxiously.”
“You say that Colonel Corsoni never yet spared a spy.”
“Never.”
“He will spare this one,” said Elfie, positively.
“How do you know that?” demanded Alberta sharply.
“By reasons.”
“What reasons?”
“I cannot tell you. That is, I do not feel at liberty to do so.”