If ever a woman hated a man, or rather the crushing force he typified,
then Herbert Cary's wife hated this clear headed, efficient Northerner,
who was now discovering how he had been delayed and thwarted. Yet she
had plenty of spirit left, for as Corporal Dudley and his file of
troopers emerged from the house she stood up and caught Uncle Billy's
eye.

"Well, Corporal?" asked Morrison.

"Well, William?" asked Mrs. Cary.

"It's all right, Miss Hallie," Uncle Billy grinned. "Dey ain't took
nothin'--not a single thing."

"Thank you, William," said Mrs. Cary, having triumphed again. "And thank
_you_, gentlemen." With a bow to Morrison she went superbly back to her
seat under the trees. But as she went it took all her strength of will
to keep from crying. Down the carriage road a squad of cavalry was
galloping furiously towards the river. And still she had not heard the
three shots.

"Now, then, Corporal, you found what?"

"Nothing, sir. We hunted from cellar to roof. No arms and no rebels."

"H'm," he mused. "Anything else?"

"Three bedrooms, sir. All in use."

"Three?" Colonel Morrison exclaimed. "Very well. That's all. I'll join