"I believe you're lying to me, you old rascal," exclaimed Frank.
"No, young master," answered the negro; "every word I have told you is gospel truth. You see, my daughter waits on Miss Annie, and I find out every thing."
"You say Miss Phillips has a sweetheart in the army?"
"Yes; and he was here to see her not long ago. He is a lieutenant, and has gone up to Conway's Point, with two cannons, to fire into steamers. His name is Miller; and you would know him from a long scar on his left cheek. Wasn't Miss Annie on board your boat two days ago?"
"Yes, I believe so."
"Well, she stole a book."
"A book!" repeated Frank. "What kind of a book?"
"I don't know the name of it. It was a small book, and had lead fastened to the covers."
"By gracious!" exclaimed Frank, "that was the captain's signal-book."
"Yes; she told my daughter that she took it out of the captain's room."