“‘Had he reversed his gun?’
“‘Yes, sir.’
“‘Had he handed the enemy a package?’
“‘Yes, sir.’
“‘What did it contain?’
“‘Tobacco, sir.’
“Billy whitened again, but he did not lie; and I seemed to read in the depths of his blue eyes a thought of ‘mother.’ There was a brief pause, and then I knew my moment had come. From my coat-pocket I produced a packet of the tobacco sent by our Northern contractor.
“‘Forbes.’
“‘Yes, sir.’
“‘Was the tobacco you gave the enemy like this?’ I spoke, breaking a deathlike stillness.