“Captain Morland:—Report to me at my quarters with a detail of ten men as soon as possible.
“Philip Markham, Colonel.”
“I wonder what is up now,” he mused, preparing at once to obey his orders. “Something unusual; I am certain that he summons me rather than Lieutenant Dodge.”
His curiosity well aroused, Captain Morland acted very promptly.
“On hand with your usual alacrity, captain,” greeted his superior. “I have a delicate task on call else I should not have selected you. You see our men have captured a troublesome fellow called Cavalry Curt, one of Sherman’s spies. He is to be shot at sunset and the unpleasant duty has been assigned to you. See that there is no blunder in the proceedings. You will find him under guard down at the lower barracks. As soon as it is over report to me. By the way news have come that Sherman is beginning hostilities. It looks as if we might be called to the front at any moment. It is no time to harbor spies. Captain Morland, your duty is plain. I trust we can depend upon you for the work.”
“You can, Colonel Markham, though I wish some one else might have been selected.”
At the head of his squad Captain Morland repaired as rapidly as possible to the lower barracks, to find the guard with the prisoner anxiously awaiting his arrival.
“Is everything in readiness, sergeant?” asked the captain. “We have no time to spare.”
“A grave has been dug and there is no need for further delays. I resign the prisoner into your hands, Captain Morland.”
“Very well; place the prisoner at the edge of the pit and measure off twenty yards. We must have this over as soon as possible.”