CHAPTER VII
A WOMAN'S PRISONER
The scene before me, the expression on the three faces, caused me tosmile. I came forth with no definite plan of action, trusting, as onemust at such times, wholly to luck. There was no means of escapeapparent, yet my mind was cool, and I was prepared to take advantage ofany opportunity. I saw the flash of the sergeant's revolver, thecaptain's sudden recoil, his hand tugging at his sword-hilt, andglimpsed something in the depths of Billie's eyes that puzzled me.
"Good-morning, gentlemen," I said easily.
So far as Slade was concerned it was evident that all he saw was theuniform, his revolver instantly covering me, held in a hand steady asrock; he even grinned amiably across the barrel. But the expression onLe Gaire's face changed from startled surprise to relief. He was a tallman, with dark hair and eyes, a black moustache shading his lip, and hishand fell from the hilt of the sword as he took an uncertain steptoward me.
"Drop that gun-play, Sergeant," he exclaimed sharply. "This man _is_all right; I know him."
Too astounded myself for speech, I could only stare back into thecaptain's face, seeking vainly to recall ever having seen the fellowbefore. Not the slightest recollection came to me, but Le Gaireblundered on, blinded by his discovery.
"Didn't know you had gone into this sort of thing," he exclaimedcordially, holding out his hand. "Last I heard your regiment was in NewOrleans. Don't remember me, do you?"
I shook my head, so completely puzzled by this unexpected turn ofaffairs that speech became dangerous. Perhaps he would give me some clueto my new identity, which would enable me to carry out the masquerade.
"Your face is familiar," I ventured, "but--"
"Oh, no excuses," he broke in cordially. "I was a guest at your mess onenight when we were garrisoning Memphis. I am Le Gaire, of the ThirdLouisiana. I sang you fellows some French songs, you may remember."
"Oh, yes!" and my face visibly brightened, as I grasped his fingers,wondering who the devil I might be, yet exceedingly overjoyed at thissudden change of fortune. "We had a gay night of it. I wonder yourecognize me in these rags."
"Well, I don't suppose I should," he exclaimed, "only you happened to bepointed out to me specially that evening. It was just after your duelwith Major Gillette of ours. Between us, I don't mind admitting I wasglad you punctured that fellow--it saved me the trouble."
"Perhaps if you gentlemen are through with reminiscences," broke in thegirl quietly, "Captain Le Gaire might present me to his new friend."
"But I thought you knew him already!"
She laughed lightly, her eyes aglow with merriment.
"Oh, no, indeed! It is all a most wonderful mix-up."
"Then it will be a pleasure for me to bring order out of confusion--MissHardy, Major Atherton of General Pemberton's staff."
"Atherton!" she gasped. "I--I thought your name was Galesworth."
"Hardy!" I retorted, simulating equal surprise, "and I supposed yourname to be Gray."
Le Gaire looked at us, vastly amused, all his former jealousy andsuspicion instantly dissipated by this evidence of misunderstanding.
"You certainly must have had a merry night of it, you two--trying tooutlie each other, and with honors about even. However, the tangle isstraightened out now, and we must be on our way. What are you trying todo, Atherton,--get to the rear of the Yanks?"
"Yes," I answered, with some hesitation, and glancing aside at the girl.I could not determine how much of all this she actually believed, or howfar I might venture to carry forward the deceit. Her eyes were upon me,but their shaded depths revealed nothing. I determined to take thechance. "Johnston requires more exact information as to the Yankeeartillery, and thought I might get in around the right flank. I saw adust cloud across the river as we came into town."
"A foraging party; they went west; we have the bridge guarded."
"Beauregard's advance may hurry Johnston," I continued, eager to drawout of him some information of value. "How came he to movewithout orders?"
"He concluded so wide a gap was dangerous, and that Johnston'sdespatch-carriers must have been unable to get through, so he beganfeeling his way east. The orders Billie brought will undoubtedly hurrythe advance."
"They have gone forward then?"
"Certainly--I sent a man with them at once."
I shot an inquiring glance toward her, but she had found a seat at thetable, and was toying idly with a spoon, her eyes cast down.
"And Beauregard is marching along this road, I presume?"
"No; back behind the hills where he runs no risk of being seen by anyprowling Yankee scouts. We are in advance on the left flank."
I understood the movement clearly enough now, and realized theimportance of getting this news to our headquarters. A swift advance oftroops would throw a column between these two forces of Confederates,and hold them apart for separate battle. But there was no time fordelay. Le Gaire failed to comprehend my anxious glance out theopen window.
"We all better be at it," he said quickly. "By the way, with thatcavalry uniform you ought to have a horse. We're leading one with Yankeeaccoutrements you can use. Come on, Slade. Miss Hardy, I hope to see youat your own home in a few days."
He bowed, hat in hand, the girl rising to her feet, as the sergeant leftthe room. She did not smile, her eyes flashing from his face to mine.
"I may remain here until the armies leave this section," she repliedquietly. "There is too much risk in travelling alone."
"You might ride with us," he suggested gallantly. She shook her head,her lips smiling.
"I think I better not."
"Does that mean you are still angry?"
"I didn't know I had been, Captain. Perhaps I spoke rather hastily, butyou must forgive that."
Her hand was extended, and he came a step back from the door to graspit, and lift the fingers to his lips. With a fierce throbbing of theheart I turned my back to them, staring out the window. There was a lowmurmur of voices, and then the door clicked. I never moved, watching LeGaire go down the steps, his men swing into their saddles, at a sharporder, and ride away in column of fours. When they had all disappeared asingle horse remained, tied to the railing of the veranda. I turnedabout, and picked up my hat from the floor. Miss Hardy was seated againat the table, her head resting upon one hand. I could see the round,white arm where the sleeve fell away, and her cheeks were flushed. Shedid not lift her eyes at my movement, and, half angry at her studiedindifference, I advanced straight toward the door. But there Ihesitated, unable to part without at least another word. She was lookingat me now.
"May I hope ever to meet you again?" I asked.
"I can promise nothing as to the future," she returned soberly. "But Iwish to speak to you now, before you go. Sit down here, just a moment."
I hesitated, keen as to the value of time, yet curious as to what shewould say, and swayed strongly by her influence.
"You surely must understand how anxious I am to get away--" I began, butshe broke in impulsively.
"Of course I do, but you must listen to me first." She had risen, andwas leaning forward, speaking earnestly. "It is true we shall probablynever meet again, yet I am not willing you should think me altogether adespicable character. I wish you to know whom I am, and why deceit wasnecessary."
"My dear girl," I exclaimed, hastily crossing the room, "there isnothing to explain. I understand the circumstances."
"No, not entirely," she insisted, "but it is my desire you should. I--Ihardly know why, but--but I would rather have you think well of me.Listen, please; I will be very brief. I am Willifred Gray Hardy, and itwas my father whom you overheard talking with General Johnston. Our homeis south on the pike road, and was used as headquarters until a few daysago. I have known General Johnston ever since I was a little girl, andeverybody--all my friends--call me Billie. Of course you thought thecourier was a man--it was only natural you should--and it was,therefore, easy for me to keep up the deceit--they trusted me, and I hadto get th
ose papers through."
"Of course you did," heartily. "Surely you do not suppose I would thinkless of you for your loyalty?"
"I hoped not; nor did I mean to let you go away thinking me a fool."
"A fool!" thrown entirely from my guard. "How could I think that?"
"By imagining that I believe you Major Atherton of Pemberton's staff,"with a little, nervous laugh, and quick uplifting of the eyes. "I wasglad Captain Le Gaire made the mistake, for I had no wish to see you aprisoner, but your quick pretending did not in the least deceive me,Lieutenant Galesworth." She paused, evidently amused at the surpriseexpressed in my face, yet with the lines of her lips setting firmly."Your questions regarding the movements of Beauregard were mostingenuous, but I was able to comprehend your purpose."
"You mean--"
"That you propose bearing the news direct to Federal headquarters. Thatis why you are in such a desperate hurry to get away."
I took a step backward, reading the meaning of her eyes.
"And you intend to prevent--"
"Exactly," her voice as quiet as ever. "I am a Confederate still."
She had changed her position, standing now between me and the closeddoor, the expression upon her face sufficient evidence of herdetermination. Hers was no idle threat--this daughter of a soldier wasready for the struggle and the sacrifice. I recognized all this at aglance, bewildered by the swift change in attitude, unable to decide myown course of action. Argument was useless, a resort to force repugnant.Above all else the one overpowering feeling was admiration for the girl.She must have read all this in my eyes, yet her own never wavered, norchanged expression.
"Please do not make the mistake, Lieutenant Galesworth, of thinking menot sufficiently in earnest," she said firmly, "or that I amunprepared."
"I do not; if you were only a man I should know exactly what to do."
"Your courtesy is misplaced; at least I do not ask it. This is war, andyou are upon one side, I on the other. You will remain in this roomuntil I say you may go."
"What will hold me?--your eyes?--the mere threat of your lips?"
"Something rather more to the purpose than either," she answered coldly.Her right hand, concealed by the folds of her skirt, was uplifted, thefingers grasping the black butt of a Colt. Her lips smiled. "I supposeyou know the efficacy of this weapon, Lieutenant, and that itis loaded."
My hand dropped instinctively to my belt--the revolver holster wasempty! It was my own weapon the girl held.