in honor.

"It is not altogether true," I said firmly, "and no one knows this
better than Major Brennan. I was there, as I told him, wholly because
of an accident upon the road, but as to its particulars I must most
respectfully decline to answer."

"You realize what such a refusal may mean to you?"

"I understand fully the construction which may unjustly be placed upon
it by those who desire to condemn me, but at present I can make no more
definite reply. I have reason to believe the full facts will be
presented to you by one in whose word you will have confidence."

I caught a gleam of positive delight in Brennan's eyes, and instantly
wondered if this seeming reluctance upon his part was not merely a
clever mode of tricking me into silence,--into what might seem an
insolent contempt of Federal authority. I would wait and see. There
would surely be ample time for her to act if she desired to do so.
Anyway, I was little disposed to find shelter behind a woman's skirts.

Sheridan straightened in his chair, and looked across the table at me
almost angrily.

"Very well, sir," he said gravely. "Your fate is in your own hands, and
will depend very largely upon your replies to my questions. You claim
to have been the bearer of despatches, and hence no spy, yet you
possess nothing to substantiate your claim. As your regiment is with
Lee, I presume you were seeking Longstreet. Were your despatches
delivered?"