"Captain Vallingham, I am sorry to see you throw away your property in this fashion," he remarked.
"You're altogether too sharp!" growled the signalman, and now his pleasant manner deserted him.
"In order to prevent you from throwing away anything more of value, I'll have you searched. Clefton, go through the man from hat to boots, and don't let anything escape you."
"Are you going to rob me?"
"Yes,—of information, if any more is to be had."
"I haven't anything beside that note-book and the two letters. The letters are from my mother,—private correspondence."
"You give me your word of honor as a gentleman to that?"
"I do."
"Then there you are, Captain. I have no desire to pry into your personal affairs. I am working solely in the interests of the United States of America."
A flush came over the Confederate's face, and he crammed the letters into a pocket Clefton had just turned inside out. "Much obliged; I am glad to learn a Yankee can still be a gentleman in some respects."