“Yes, yes, I know that is the name on the letters that were found in your possession, but I’d like to know what your name was before you became a spy.”
If he expected to catch his man unaware, he was disappointed for Baker, looking at him with assumed dignity, said:
“I am no spy.”
The General arose from his chair and paced up and down the room several times. Presently he halted and pointing out of the window said:
“Do you see that tree?”
“I do.”
“Well, I half believe that you are a spy and if I was sure of it I would hang you on that tree as a warning to all other spies.”
Baker looked at him reproachfully and not without a secret feeling of fear. The General called to one of his attendants.
“Orderly,” he commanded, “take this man out and put him in the guard house.”
Five minutes later the adventurer found himself inside of a log house within a stockade. The discreet use of one of his gold pieces secured him a warm breakfast and later in the day he was permitted to go outside in the care of a guard. The two men were soon on good terms and the guard did not disdain the offer of a drink with his prisoner. Before they returned, Baker had the satisfaction of seeing all the troops in the vicinity of Manassas Junction—including the famous Black Horse Cavalry concerning which General Scott was anxious to obtain information.