“There were eight of them, you said,” Somers heard some one in the entry below remark.
“There were; but one of them was the officer who gave the information,” replied another, whom the fugitive recognized as Colonel Roman.
“But he was one of the gang.”
“He looked like a Yankee officer,” added the colonel.
“We want him, whatever he is, if it is only for his evidence against these villains we have captured. Colonel Grayhame threatened to hang these same scoundrels only yesterday.”
“The officer who gave me the card is clearly not one of this gang.”
“I don’t understand it,” said the other person, who was probably the officer in command of the squad of cavalry.
“I should be very glad of an explanation, but I am greatly indebted to the gentleman, and I wish to thank him, if nothing more, for the favor he has done me,” continued the colonel.
“I have nothing against him, but I wish to know what he is.”
Somers hoped he would not trouble himself, and he was even willing the planter should omit to thank him; for the officer’s curiosity and the colonel’s gratitude threatened to consign him to a rebel prison. He heard a call from the former, followed by the tramp of heavy feet on the lower staircase.