"I would—were he such a fraud and villain as you, Dr. Mackey," was our hero's calm reply. "You will never make me believe that any of your blood flows in my veins."
"Then you believe I am an impostor?"
"I do."
The doctor fell back and sank on a bench. Jack's firm manner appeared to take his nerve from him.
"What shall you do next?" he asked finally.
"Take you straight to our plantation."
"No! no! Colonel——" Dr. Mackey stopped short. "Do not take me there, I beg of you!"
"But I shall take you there, and what is more, I am going to find out what Colonel Stanton has to say concerning you."
At this the surgeon grew as pale as death.
"You—have no right to take me to the plantation. Remember, I am a Confederate officer. If you keep me a prisoner, you will be liable to heavy punishment."