"I'm sure of it. I've sent a squad to get the sniper."
"All right, it's daylight. Keep your marines away from the Arsenal gate. It's barely fifty yards to the Engine House. We've got the Abolitionists penned inside. But they're good shots."
"I've warned them, sir."
"No fighting now until Colonel Lee takes command. His train has just pulled in."
"Why the devil didn't he come with us?" Green asked suddenly.
"Called to the White House for a conference with President Buchanan, in such haste that he couldn't stop to put on his uniform. The Capital's agog over this affair. The wildest rumors are afloat."
"Nothing to the rumors afloat here among these militiamen and dazed citizens."
"Colonel Lee will straighten them out in short order—"
Stuart suddenly stiffened to attention as he saw the soldierly figure of the Colonel approaching from the station with quick, firm step. Over his civilian suit he had hastily thrown an army overcoat and looked what he was, the bronzed veteran commander of the Texas plains.
He saluted the two young officers and quickly turned to his aide.