"It is not more strange than your flight from Richmond alone and at such an hour."
"What signifies that? These are times of war and strange times demand strange conduct. Besides, it concerns me alone."
"Not so," replied Prescott firmly; "give me the papers."
Her face now changed from its calm. Variable emotions shot over it. Prescott, as he stood there before her, was conscious of admiration. What vagary had sent a girl who looked like this upon such a task!
"The papers," he repeated.
"I have none," she replied.
"If you do not give them to me I shall be compelled to search you, and that, I fancy, you do not wish. But I assure you that I shall do it."
His tone was resolute. He saw a spark of fire in her eye, but he did not quail.
"I shall turn my back," he added, "and if the papers are not produced in one minute's time I shall begin my search."
"Would you dare?" she asked with flashing eyes.