"Do you know the meaning of the word 'spy'?" inquired Nancy hotly.
"Perfectly," briefly. "I have wasted quite enough time. Give me that despatch!"
"What despatch?"
Lloyd lost all patience. "Once for all, do you intend to give me that despatch, or not?"
Nancy shrugged her shoulders. "It is impossible to give what we do not possess."
Lloyd strode to the door and beckoned to the two women standing in the hall.
"Search these ladies," he directed, pointing to Miss Metoaca and Nancy, "and see that you search them thoroughly. I am positive the older lady is padded." Miss Metoaca's face was a study. "If they give you any trouble I will send in a guard to assist you," and with this parting threat he walked out of the room and banged the door to behind him.
"Don't you lay a finger on me," ordered Miss Metoaca belligerently. "If you do I will box your ears!"
"What good would that do you?" asked Miss Watt practically. "I guess you would rather have me than one of the men undress you. Do be reasonable."
"Yes, Aunt Metoaca, let us get it over and done with." Nancy's face was white, and she looked with frightened eyes at the two women. "President Lincoln shall hear of this outrage."