appeared in the flaming of the fire.

"The word is all right, Miss," returned the fellow, stoutly, yet
without lowering his obstructing gun. "But we cannot pass any one out
on the countersign alone. If you was going the other way it would
answer."

"But we are returning from the officers' ball," she urged anxiously,
"and are on our way to Major Brennan's quarters. We have passes."

As she drew the paper from out her glove one of the men at the fire
sprang to his feet and strode across the narrow road toward us. He was
smooth of face and boyish looking, but wore corporal's stripes.

"What is it, Mapes?" he asked sharply.

Without waiting an answer he took the paper she held out and scanned it
rapidly.

"This is all right," he said, handing it back, and lifting his cap in
salute. "You may pass, madam. You must pardon us, but the orders are
exceedingly strict to-night. Have you a pass also, Colonel?" I handed
it to him, and after a single glance it was returned.

"Pass them, guard," he said curtly, standing aside,

Beyond the radiance of the fire she broke the silence.

"I shall only be able to go with you so far as the summit of the hill
yonder, for our quarters are just to the right, and I could furnish no