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Would it inconvenience you, Judge, if I made your house my headquarters for the night?" "Everything I possess is freely at your service." "Thank you. From all I have heard I could never question the loyalty of Judge Moran." He spoke a few short orders, swung down from the saddle, and, followed by a half-dozen others, began climbing the steps, talking with Miss Willifred.
His eyes, apparently as keen as ever, instantly recognized the girl, his stern features relaxing into a smile of welcome. "I am surprised and pleased to greet you, Miss Willifred," cordially bowing over her extended hand. "'Tis a long while since we have seen you here." "Not from any doubt of your hospitality, Judge, but the armies have made travelling unsafe." "True; we live in constant peril.
All her connection with me has been accidental, and during our last interview she merely begged for your release. When I refused to grant the request, she repudiated her parole, and I locked her in her own room as a prisoner. I did not even know this was your home, or that Miss Willifred was here, when I came. When Captain Le Gaire insinuates that there was any arrangement between us he lies."
But now I began to reflect along that line, yet never for a moment forgetting our situation, or its peril. I was going down into the neighborhood where Willifred Hardy lived to which she had probably already returned. I was going as an enemy to her cause, guided by an ex-slave of Le Gaire's.
"You you don't suppose I sent her?" "Oh, no, you have been most honorable. There is no reason why I should hold you here; the others have gone, and you may be of assistance to Miss Willifred. It is bound to be lively enough for us in here presently without prisoners to look after." "But you have not accepted my hand, Lieutenant Galesworth. I wish to feel that we part friends."
"May I not, in return, be told your name?" "I am Willifred Gray," she said quietly. "That is all just Willifred Gray." There was something about the manner in which she said this which held me silent. I should have liked to ask more, a second question trembling on my lips, but the words would not come.
Whoever the crazed assassin was, he must still remain somewhere in the cellar, watching for an opportunity to escape. But I was needed above to direct the defence. It seemed to me I thought of a thousand things in an instant, of my desire to clear up the mystery, of my orders to hold the house, of Willifred Hardy's danger, and I had but the one instant in which to decide.
I I hardly know why, but but I would rather have you think well of me. Listen, please; I will be very brief. I am Willifred Gray Hardy, and it was my father whom you overheard talking with General Johnston. Our home is south on the pike road, and was used as headquarters until a few days ago. I have known General Johnston ever since I was a little girl, and everybody all my friends call me Billie.
Not that the assembled officers lacked in courtesy, or failed to interest in light conversation. Led by the general they all endeavored to make me forget my strange position, and the unpleasant episode of arrest. Indeed, but for the presence of Miss Willifred in the room I imagine I should have been very much at ease, perfectly capable of doing my full share of entertaining.
There were others told also not quite so pleasant, which Hardy did not hear. You see, none of us cared to repeat them, after we realized Miss Willifred was interested in the man." "You mean duelling?" "No, that was rather mild; fellows in his regiment mostly cut him dead, and say he is yellow; generally in the hospital when there's a battle on.
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