The Lost Despatch Read online

  CHAPTER IX

  OUTWITTED

  For once Lloyd had overslept, and he kicked a chair viciously out ofhis way as he stooped to find an elusive collar button. A loud knock athis door interrupted his search. On opening it he found one of thechambermaids leaning against the opposite wall.

  "Well, what is it?" he demanded sharply.

  "Dis hyar gen'man's down to de do' an' wants ter see yo' to onst," andshe thrust a card into his hand.

  "Tell Colonel Mitchell I will be down in a minute. No, stay--show himup here." Lloyd retreated into his room. He had just completed histoilet when a second knock sounded on his door.

  "Good morning, Mitchell," he said cordially, admitting the officer. "Ihad you come up here because we can be more private. Sit down and havea cigar," and he pulled forward a chair; then opened his cigar case.

  But the colonel remained standing, and waved aside the proffered cigar."Did you catch Miss Newton?" he asked eagerly.

  "We found her, yes; but my plan missed fire."

  "You mean?"

  "She did not try to communicate with the rebels last night."

  "Then you did not arrest her as a spy?"

  "No--I had not sufficient evidence against her to do so."

  "Is she at large?"

  "Yes; but closely watched."

  "Did you take the despatch from her?"

  "No."

  "She still has it?"

  "I suppose so. Good God! man, what's the matter?"

  Mitchell, white faced and trembling, collapsed into a chair.

  "Pull yourself together," continued Lloyd sternly. "She cannot do anyharm even if she does manage to send that despatch to Lee; it is falseinformation."

  Twice Mitchell tried to speak. "Man, man," he gasped finally. "By somefearful mischance I dropped a real despatch and not the bogus one."

  With eyes starting from his head, Lloyd regarded the unfortunateofficer while he slowly digested his startling news. Then he picked uphis overcoat and hat and made for the closed door. "To think I let thatgirl go into Virginia under the President's pass with that despatch inher pocket. Damnation!" and the door slammed violently on hisretreating figure.

  Goddard rose bright and early that morning. He did not awaken Lloyd,for he had bidden him good-bye the night before, so after scrawling afew lines to his friend thanking him for his hospitality and leavingthe note on the bureau, he hastened down to the Newtons'. Nancy and heraunt did not keep him waiting long, and with the help of their butlerhe got them into the waiting hack, tossed in their numerous handluggage, and jumped up by the driver. On their arrival at the depot hefound they had but three minutes in which to catch the train, so heunceremoniously bundled Miss Metoaca and Nancy through the gates and tothe train; while the hackman brought up the rear with two carpet bagsand a lunch hamper.

  They found they had the car practically to themselves, so Miss Metoacapicked out the cleanest seat, and insisted that all the luggage be putby her side where it would be directly under her eye. Then sheannounced she was going to take "forty winks," as she had been up mostof the night and needed sleep. With a sigh of satisfaction, Goddardsettled himself next to Nancy in the seat directly across the aislefrom Miss Metoaca. As the train pulled out from the depot a man swunghimself aboard the back platform and slipped into a seat in the rear ofthe last car unseen by Goddard.

  "You look tired," said Goddard, glancing keenly at Nancy's pale face.

  "I am; for I spent most of the night with a sick servant. But you,Major Goddard, don't look any too fresh yourself," replied Nancyquickly.

  It was true. Goddard had spent a sleepless night. He could notbelieve--would not believe Lloyd's charge against Nancy. After all, shewas not the only girl, or woman, with red-gold hair in the world. Lloydhad nothing to go upon but theories--no absolute proof--and an innocentact might easily be construed into a guilty one by a suspicious mind.Perhaps Lloyd's wish had proved father to the thought; he showedextraordinary animosity toward Nancy. All the chivalry of his naturerevolted at the Secret Service officer's cold-blooded scheme to ensnareher, and Goddard determined in his own mind she should have fair play.

  "Are you a Washingtonian by birth, Miss Newton?" he inquired, as shemoved restlessly under his intent gaze.

  "No, by adoption. I was born and raised in Richmond. I do not remembermy mother. She died when I was very young. After my father's death Icame north in charge of my black mammy, Aunt Polly, to live with AuntMetoaca. My dear father," Nancy's eyes filled with unbidden tears, andshe hastily tried to wink them away. "I wish you could have known eachother, Major. Dad's courtly greeting and warm heart won him so many,many friends."

  "I second the wish," said Goddard gently. "Pardon the question, but hashe been dead long?"

  "Three years now; but time has not lessened my sorrow. We were all inall to each other, notwithstanding I was his greatest disappointment."

  "How so?"

  "He wanted a son and heir; but I was his only child, the last of a longline of fighting men. Dad was my constant companion as well as myteacher," she sighed involuntarily. "I miss him more and more as theyears go on."

  Goddard nodded sympathetically. "'Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand,and the sound of a voice that is still,'" he quoted softly. Nancystarted, and, as her lips quivered, Goddard added more lightly, "I havea fellow feeling with you, for I am an orphan, too, Miss Nancy; but Icannot say I had so agreeable a guardian as you have."

  "Aunt Metoaca has been both mother and father to me. Bless her dearkind heart!" and Nancy glanced with deep affection at the nodding grayhead on the opposite seat. "She and Doctor John Boyd are the onlyfriends I have."

  "Oh, come, you know you have legions of..."

  "Of acquaintances--yes," interpolated Nancy swiftly. "It is my fault. Ido not make friends easily, and lately..."

  "Yes, and lately?" asked Goddard, as she hesitated.

  "I have noticed a change in my acquaintances. Oh, nothing tangible; butthere is a coolness in their greeting, and I hear innuendoes."

  "What do you care? Women will say anything when jealous, which Isuspect is the cause of their behavior. Hasn't your mirror told youthat?" and Goddard smiled, as he looked with admiration at her winsomeface.

  "It is not always the women who throw the first stone, Major," againNancy hesitated. "There is a man in Washington--he chose to considerhimself in love with me, and because I did not encourage his suithe--he--insinuates----"

  "The beast! Why don't you tell him he is a liar and a coward?"

  "Because I am only a woman."

  "I wish you would give me the right to protect you," whispered Goddard,carried away by the wistful appeal in her large, eloquent eyes.

  "Major Goddard," Nancy drew back, frightened by the intensity of hismanner. "This is very wrong. You--you--forget we have not known eachother long."

  "I am getting on as fast as I can," retorted Goddard sturdily; hisheart thumping as he saw her confusion. "Miss Newton--Nancy--I meanevery word I have said. Tell me that scoundrel's name!"

  Unconsciously Goddard raised his voice, and Miss Metoaca awoke from herslumbers, which had long exceeded the "forty winks." That limit existedonly in her imagination.

  "Well, young people, are you hungry?" to attract Goddard's attentionshe prodded him with her umbrella. "Suppose we open our lunch basket."

  Reluctantly Goddard rose and assisted Miss Metoaca in handing thesandwiches, cakes, and cold coffee to Nancy. They did full justice tothe good things provided by Miss Metoaca's excellent cook, and lingeredover the improvised lunch table. Finally Nancy commenced putting theremains of the lunch into the hamper just as the train reached therailroad bridge which spanned the Potomac at the juncture of theShenandoah River.

  As the train came to a stop before the depot at Harper's Ferry theircar was surrounded by a squad of soldiers, and a lieutenant of infantryswung on board the forward platform and consulted with the conductor.

  "There's the party," said the latter, pointing through the open
door toMiss Metoaca and Nancy, who were sitting together. The officer steppedinto the car and addressed them.

  "Miss Newton?" he asked, touching his cap, "and Miss Nancy Newton, fromWashington?"

  "Yes, sir," said Miss Metoaca. "What then?"

  "I have orders to detain you both in Harper's Ferry. Kindly follow me,"and he turned as if to leave the car.

  "By whose order, and under what charge?" asked Goddard hotly, steppingin front of the two indignant women.

  "Are you Major Goddard, of the --th United States cavalry?" demandedthe younger officer.

  "I am."

  "General Stevenson received orders by telegraph from Washington todetain these ladies here on their arrival. I do not know the charge,Major," replied the lieutenant courteously.

  "How long do you propose keeping us here?" asked Nancy, slowlyrecovering from her astonishment.

  "Until further orders are received from Washington."

  "I haven't the faintest intention of staying here," announced MissMetoaca, with rising indignation. "We have passes from PresidentLincoln to go to Winchester, and to Winchester I am going."

  The lieutenant shook his head. "These orders supersede your passes. Youwill both have to come with me."

  "Indeed?" Miss Metoaca settled herself comfortably in her seat. "Then,young man, you will have the pleasure of carrying me; for I do notintend to walk out of this car until I reach my proper destination."

  The lieutenant was equal to the occasion. "Go forward, conductor," heordered, "and tell the engineer to back this car on a siding in theyard, then uncouple it from the train. Sergeant, conduct thesepassengers," indicating the men who had gathered about them, "into thenext car."

  "Wait," called Nancy, and the conductor stopped. "I am sure thisextraordinary order can be satisfactorily explained; so let us goquietly with this officer, Aunt Metoaca. We must be dignified under ourarrest."

  "Dignity? Who cares about dignity when one's personal liberty is inquestion? I decline to leave this seat."

  Nancy bent and whispered rapidly in her aunt's ear. At first hercommunication was not taken in good part; then the spinster's facecleared, and she rose.

  "I will come with you," she volunteered graciously. "Go on ahead,Lieutenant."

  Bewildered by her sudden change of front, the young officer led the wayto the door, followed by both women, Goddard, and the sergeant. As MissMetoaca stepped from the car the guard closed round them. The conductordeposited their hand luggage on the platform. "All aboard!" he shouted;then signaled to his engineer, and with a rattle and roar the belatedtrain thundered out of the station.

  "Where do you propose taking these ladies?" demanded Goddard.

  "To the waiting room. They are to be detained here under guard until anofficer arrives from Washington on a special train to examine them."

  "Do you know who this officer is?"

  "Captain Lloyd, of the Secret Service. In there, ladies." He opened thedoor of the empty waiting room, and with flashing eyes and heightenedcolor Miss Metoaca and Nancy disappeared inside the door. Goddardstarted to follow them, but the lieutenant laid a detaining hand on hisarm as he closed the door. "Will you come with me, Major. I have ordersnot to allow you to hold communication with the ladies."

  Goddard stopped as if shot and glared at the embarrassed officer. Thesilent passenger, who had carefully remained in the background duringthe scene in the car, was following the two men, intent on listening totheir conversation, and he bumped into Goddard when he stopped soabruptly. Goddard instantly turned and collared him.

  "What the devil!" giving vent to his rage. "Why, Symonds," releasingthe Secret Service agent. "What brings you here?"

  "Captain Lloyd's orders, sir," and Symonds saluted respectfully.