Chapter 21
That evening, a thick cloud of smoke from the burning town screened the glow of the moon. Jack and Ezra were riding in the back of the column of soldiers limping towards Washington. The pace was slow since many of the men were wounded, and the entire group was short of horses. The cold spring weather helped little.
“Even though you’re no longer in the Army, Mister Blackwood, if you could help keep a watch back here I would be much obliged.” Jones said wearily.
Jack nodded.
Ezra asked, “We’re an open target on this road. Are you expecting any more trouble?”
“I doubt it. They will be more interested in putting those fires out than chasing the remnants of my command. But you can never be sure what will happen in times like these.” He sighed and looked back at the smoke-shrouded moon.
“How much longer are you going to keep your men going?” Jack asked sympathetically. “They look all in and could do with a rest. It might be better to hide in the woods over there and wait until your men are more mobile.”
“Well, I want to get far enough away so we won’t be a tempting target for those damn Virginians. I will head to the front now and take charge up there. Don’t worry, we’ll be stopping in a few hours.” The lieutenant kicked his horse ahead.
Jack shook his head. “I hope they don’t send some cavalry after us. They would cut us up into ribbons.”
They made slow progress along the road, but no enemy attacks came. After another hour, Lieutenant Jones led them into a field that was sheltered from the road by a large hill. A few of the more fit men were then posted on the hill to watch for pursuers. Several small fires were built, and the men collapsed around them, grateful for the rest. Only a few scraps of food were available to share and drinking water was short as well.
After hobbling their horses for the night, Jack lifted the saddle bag off of Davis’s mount before following his partner into the hastily assembled camp. Jack was impatient to examine the bags, but made his way to the fire that Lieutenant Jones had picked. Ezra stood near the fire and warmed his hands. Jones was sitting on the ground, leaning his back against his saddle. He looked worried and haggard from the day’s events. The soot from the fires at the Armory had left stains across his face and his uniform, which had not been too clean to begin with. Jack knew that his own appearance could not look much better.
“Lieutenant, are you sure these campfires are safe?” Jack asked. “The smell of smoke would tip off any pursuing scouts.”
“No, they aren’t safe – but my men need to eat something warm.” His jaw tightened from the criticism. “We made it this far without any trouble. Let’s hope our luck doesn’t run out.”
“If they sent any cavalry your way, we will be spotted in no time.”
“I don’t expect any more trouble today,” the lieutenant replied, looking at him with annoyance.
Jack shrugged his shoulders and dropped to the ground beside Ezra. “I hope you’re right, I’m tired myself.”
“Mister Blackwood, are those the papers that you came to Harper’s Ferry for?” Jones asked, looking curiously at the saddlebag.
“Well, I went to Harper’s Ferry to find a man. But this will have to do. I was about to take a look inside. I sure hope they are worth the trouble.” Jack then opened the bag and emptied the contents onto the grass. Several objects fell out – some beef tack, a small bag that jingled with the sound of coin, a small silver-plated derringer, and a tightly bound satchel.
With shaking hands, Jack carefully opened the leather satchel. It held just a small sheaf of papers which he hurriedly examined in the firelight. They were the plans, but only seemed to be a small portion of them. They listed the number of men needed and the general outline of the plan, but the details of the units and locations were missing. Now where was the rest of the it?
“Seems like a lot of work for just a few papers,” Jones commented blandly.
“There has to be more than this,” his partner said in disbelief.
Jack ran his hands through the other items with exasperation. “You’re right, Ezra. There has to be more than this. I think this is the same material that Stevenson had at his house. I remember Edmonds was demanding to see the rest of the plans before payment.”
“Then where is the rest of it?” Ezra asked. His voice was rough from exhaustion.
“I’m not sure. Did you see him carrying anything else when he tried to cross the bridge? Was there any other bags or cases?”
His partner shook his head. “Davis was traveling light and had both of his hands on the bridle. If he was carrying anything else, it was on his person.”
“Damn it. We’ll have to go back to Washington empty handed.” Jack then gave the silver-plated derringer a cursory examination before shoving it into his coat pocket.
Jones yawned and poked at the burning logs. “Perhaps he hid the main papers on the way down to Harper’s Ferry.” His voice trailed off and then he looked back to Ezra and Jack. “Or someone else is holding them for him.”
“You could be right,” the detective admitted. “Abbott would be the obvious choice.”
“Abbott? How could he get the papers?” Ezra asked. “He was locked away when we went to Stevenson’s house.”
“There is only one way to find out,” Jack replied. “We shall have to return to Washington.”