“Then what of Colonel Delancy Hyde?”
“The Colonel was said to have attached himself to the fortunes of General Van Dorn. That’s all I could find out about Hyde.”
“Pity! I must unearth the fellow somehow. The fate of that poor little girl of the Pontiac haunts me night and day. My suspicions of foul play have been fully confirmed. When you have time, read this letter which I had written to send you. It will tell you of all I learnt from Quattles and Amos Slink. But you have something to ask. What is it?”
“Where shall I find Captain Onslow of the Confederate army?”
Vance pointed to Kenrick, who replied: “I know him well. He is probably now in this house. ’T is his usual time for dressing for dinner.”
“I’ve terrible news for him,” said Peek.
“What has happened?”
“On my way from Austin to Fort Duncan on the Rio Grande I passed through San Antonio. You have heard something of the persecutions of Union men in Western Texas?”
“Yes. Good Heavens! Is old Onslow among the victims?”
“He and his whole family—wife, son, and daughter—have been slain by the Confederate agents.”