"They've loosed two big rafters and have them ready to use as battering rams—"
"You're sure of this?"
"Sure's God's in heaven. Go in and see for yourself—"
Captain Welford gave a low whistle.
"This is big news. There are enough prisoners in Richmond to make an army corps—eleven hundred in here—twenty-five hundred at Crew and Pemberton's—at Belle Isle and the other stockades at least fifteen thousand in all. They are guarded by a handful of men. If they realize their power, they can batter their way out in five minutes and sweep the city with blood and fire—"
He stopped suddenly, drew a deep breath and turned again to the man.
"That'll do for you here. Take a little rest. You'd as well go back into a lion's den when they find out that I know. They'd spot you sure and tear you limb from limb."
The spy saluted.
"Report to me a week from to-day at the office. You've earned a vacation."