Why shouldn't I be curious about Richmond, a place that great armies have
been trying to take for three years? Just at present it's the center
of the world to me in interest."

"You must not think of such a thing, Mr. Mason. Detection means certain
death."

"No more for me than for you."

"But I have had a long experience and I have resources of which you can't
know. Don't think of it again, Mr. Mason."

"I was merely jesting. I won't," said Dick.

He involuntarily looked toward the point beyond the horizon where
Richmond lay, and Shepard meanwhile studied him closely. Young Mason had
not come much under his notice until lately, but now he began to interest
the spy greatly. Shepard observed what a strong, well-built young fellow
he was, tall and slender but extremely muscular. He also bore a marked
resemblance to his cousin, Harry Kenton, and such was the quality of
Shepard that the likeness strongly recommended Dick to him. Moreover,
he read the lurking thought that persisted in Dick's mind.

"You mustn't dream of such a thing as entering Richmond, Mr. Mason,"
he said.

"It was just a passing thought. But aren't you going in again?"

"Later on, no doubt, but not just now. I understand that we're planning
some movement. I don't know what it is, but I'm to wait here until it's