"All right, sir."
Green saluted and stood at attention awaiting the arrival of Stuart.
Lee's aide had approached the Engine House, watched in breathless suspense by a crowd of more than two thousand people. In spite of the efforts of the sentinels they had jammed every inch of space commanding a view of the enclosure.
When Stuart reached the bullet-marked door he called:
"For Mr. Smith, the commander of the invaders, I have a communication from Colonel Lee!"
Brown opened the door about four inches and placed his body against the crack. Stuart could see through the opening his hand gripping a rifle.
He refused to open it further and the parley was held with the door ajar.
He at last allowed Stuart to enter.
His first look at the man's face startled him. The full gray beard could not mask the terrible mouth which he had studied one day in Kansas. And nothing could dim the flame that burned in his blue-gray eyes.
He recognized him instantly.