“That isn’t very definite.”
“In a word, you are Captain Thomas Somers, of the —th regiment.”
“Who told you that?”
“That’s of no consequence.”
“What is to be done with me?”
“I don’t know.”
“I suppose I am only a prisoner of war?”
“You crossed the James River in disguise, and went into our lines for the purpose of obtaining information. I suppose you can put those two things together.”
Somers’s worst fears were confirmed. He was to be tried as a spy, and De Banyan had told all he knew about him. Before he had time to dwell on the dark prospect any longer, the officer said he was cold, and could not stand there any longer. Taking his prisoner by the arm, he led him down the cross-street. Somers was just thinking of an attempt to bid his companion good-night, when the latter spoke again:
“I shall catch my death from this night air,” said he. “Just before the battle of Magenta——”