"Captain Stephens: he who has been made prisoner by the personal followers of the rebel chief."
"I have not heard anything about this capture," said Lieutenant Unworthy; "and it seems to me, if the thing occurred word must have reached us." This conceited block-head had not yet made a start.
"I implore you once again, monsieur, either to accompany us to the presence of the Colonel or to let us go alone. I do not see that you have any right to detain us. If harm comes to Captain Stephens you will remember that his blood must be upon your head. You are either stupid beyond words to describe, or bent upon showing your authority. Will you come, or let me go, to the Colonel?"
"I want neither lectures nor impertinent speeches," replied the numb-skull, putting on an air of severe dignity; nevertheless it was plain that Annette had frightened him.
"Forward, march—tro-o-o-t!" and the troop set out for Camp Denison. Whenever the word "W a-a-a-lk" came, the heart of the girl sank; but despite the anxiety and annoyance, the camps of Colonel Denison at last were in sight.
"Well, Unworthy," the Colonel said, "who are these boys you have brought in?" The Colonel was intently reading the faces of the little scouts, with his penetrating dark-grey eyes, as he asked the question.
"The largest of the two has a story about the capture of Captain Stephens, and declares a profuse interest in the affairs of that officer. I have taken the story with a pinch of salt; as I regard the two a pair of spies."
"May I speak, Colonel Denison?" the girl said, touching the brim of her broad hat respectfully.
"Most certainly, my lad. I shall be glad to hear anything that you have to say." Then turning to Unworthy,—"He looks no more like a spy than you do, man. Are you any judge of faces?"
"Well, monsieur," the girl began, her voice quivering, "l'officier," pointing to Unworthy, "says he believes that I am a spy. He has no ground for such a belief, but he has proof which must have taught him otherwise. Inspector Dicken gave me a note of introduction to you. This note l'officier has in his pocket, having rudely taken it away from me."