himself, and because he was innocent looked the trapped and convicted
criminal.

Laguerre's eyes glowed like two branding-irons. As he fixed them on
Aiken's face one expected to see them leave a mark.

"If the General will only listen," Aiken stammered. "If you will only
give me a hearing, sir. Why should I come to your camp if I had sold
you out? Why didn't I get away on the first steamer, and stay away--as
Quay did?"

The General gave an exclamation of disgust, and shrugged his
shoulders. He sank back slowly against one of the Gatling guns.

"What does it matter?" he said, bitterly. "Why lock the stable door
now? I will give you a hearing," he said, turning to Aiken, "but it
would be better for you if I listened to you later. Bring him to me
to-morrow morning after roll-call. And the other?" he asked. He
pointed at me, but his eyes, which were heavy with disappointment,
were staring moodily at the ground.

Heinze interposed himself quickly.

"Aiken brought him here!" he said. "I believe he's an agent of the
Isthmian people, or," he urged, "why did he come here? He came to spy
out your camp, General, and to report on our condition."

"A spy!" said Laguerre, raising his head and regarding me sharply.

"Yes," Heinze declared, with conviction. "A spy, General. A Government