“I am sure that you are mistaken, captain; and to prove my sincerity I give you permission to search my buildings as much as you like.”
“That we must do, colonel, and shall level them to the earth but we will find them.
“Logan and Andrews, see that the old man and the girl do not leave this room. The rest of you continue the search.”
“A sorry day it will be for you, colonel, if we find that spy on your premises.”
Completely overcome, the old man bowed his head in silence.
Mara, too, was speechless.
Fifteen minutes later the Confederates gathered around them.
Captain Dermot’s swarthy face looked blacker than ever.
“It’s no use wasting time in that way,” he muttered.
“Mara Morland, you know where that spy is hiding, and, by heavens, you shall tell us or we will tear this house down over your heads.”