Secret Service

  CHAPTER XVII

  WILFRED PLAYS THE MAN

  A sharp contrast to the noise outside was presented by the quiet of theVarney house inside. The sewing women, in view of the attack and themovements of the boys and the old men, had separated sooner than theyhad intended and had gone their several ways. Old Jonas, frightened todeath, remained locked up in the closet where he had been left byArrelsford's men. Martha was upstairs in Howard's room, making ready towatch over him during the night.

  Caroline Mitford had not gone home. She had sent word that she intendedto pass the night at the Varney house. Somehow she thought they seemedto need her. She was standing by one of the long front windows in thedrawing-room, now a scene of much disorder because of the recentstruggle. Tables were thrust aside out of their places, chairs wereturned over, and there was a big dark spot on the carpet where HenryDumont had poured out his life-blood unavailingly.

  Caroline stared out of the window at the flashes of light. She listened,with heaving breast and throbbing heart, to the roar of the cannon andthe rattle of musketry. She had heard both many times lately, but now itwas different, for Wilfred was there. Mrs. Varney came upon her with herhand pressed against her breast, her face white and staring, tearsbrimming her eyes, but, as usual, Mrs. Varney was so engrossed with herown tremendous troubles that she had little thought for the girl.

  "Caroline," she began anxiously, "tell me what happened. Edith won'tspeak to me. She has locked herself up in her room. What was it? Wherehas she been? What----"

  "She was at the telegraph office," answered Caroline in a low voice.

  "What did she do there? What happened there?"

  "I am not sure."

  "But try to tell me, dear."

  "I would if I could, Mrs. Varney, but I was afraid and ran out andwaited for her in the hall. The rest of them----" The girl broke off asthe deep tones of the city bells clanged sharply above the diapason ofartillery.

  "It's the alarm bell," said Mrs. Varney.

  "Yes," said Caroline, "they are calling out the last reserves."

  "Yes; hark to the cannonading. Isn't it awful?" returned Mrs. Varney."They must be making a terrible attack to-night. Lieutenant Maxwell wasright; that quiet spell was a signal."

  "There goes another battery of artillery," said Caroline, staringthrough the window. "A man told us that they were sending them all overto Cemetery Hill. That's where the fighting is, Cemetery Hill."

  "General Varney's Division is to the right of that position, or was thelast time I heard from him," said Mrs. Varney anxiously.

  The two women looked at each other for a moment, both of them thinkingthe same thought, to which neither dared give utterance. The object oftheir thought was the boy, and the continuous flashes of light on thehorizon seemed to make the situation more horrible.

  "I am afraid they are going to have a bad time of it to-night," saidCaroline, drawing the curtains and turning away from the window.

  "I'm afraid so," was the rejoinder. "Now, try to think, dear, who was atthe telegraph office? Can't you tell me something that occurred thatwill explain Edith's silence? She looks like death, and----"

  "I can't tell you anything except that they arrested Mr. Arrelsford."

  "Mr. Arrelsford! You don't mean that?"

  "Yes, I do," answered Caroline. "General Randolph,--I went and broughthim there, because they wouldn't send my telegram,--he was in a fearfultemper----"

  "But Edith? Can't you tell me what she did?"

  "I can't, Mrs. Varney, for I don't know. I waited for her in the hall,and when she came out she couldn't speak. Then we hurried home. I triedto get her to tell me, but she wouldn't say a word except that her heartwas broken, and that's all I know, Mrs. Varney, truly, truly."

  "I believe you, my dear. I know you would tell me if you could."

  "I certainly would, for I love----"

  There was a loud ring at the front door. It was evidently unlocked, for,without waiting for an answer, it was thrown open, roughly, and throughthe hall and into the drawing-room stalked Mr. Arrelsford. He was wildlyexcited, evidently in a tremendous hurry, and utterly oblivious tomanners or anything else. He had been checked and thwarted so many timesthat he was in a bad temper for anything.

  "Is your daughter in the house?" he began roughly, without any furtherpreliminaries or salutation, without even removing his hat.

  Mrs. Varney drew herself up and looked at him. But he paid no attentionto her at all.

  "Answer," he said harshly.

  She bowed her head in the affirmative, scarcely able to speak in herindignation at his manner and bearing.

  "I wish to see her."

  "I don't believe she will care to receive you at present," returned hermother quietly.

  "What she cares to do at present is of small consequence. I must see herat once. Shall I go up to her room with these men, or will you have herdown here?"

  The room had filled with soldiers as the two spoke together.

  "Neither the one nor the other, sir," said Mrs. Varney, who was not inthe least afraid of Mr. Arrelsford or his soldiers, "until I know yourbusiness with her."

  "My business,--a few questions,--I've got a few questions to ask her.Listen to that noise out yonder? Do you hear those guns and the troopspassing by? Now, you know what 'Attack to-night, Plan 3,' means."

  "Is that the attack!" asked Mrs. Varney.

  "That's the attack. They are breaking through our lines at CemeteryHill. That was the place indicated by 'Plan 3.' We are rushing to thefront all the reserves we have, to the last man and boy, but they maynot get there in time."

  "What, may I ask, has my daughter to do with it?"

  "Do with it? She did it!" asserted Arrelsford bitterly.

  "What!" exclaimed Mrs. Varney, in a great outburst of indignation. "Howdare you!"

  "We had him in a trap, under arrest, the telegraph under guard, when shebrought in that commission. We would have shot him in a moment, but theytook me prisoner and let him go."

  "Impossible!" whispered Mrs. Varney. "You don't mean----"

  "Yes, she did. She put the game in his hands. He got control of thewires and the despatch went through. As soon as I could get toheadquarters I explained, and they saw the trick. They rushed the guardback, but the scoundrel had got away. Foray was gone, too, and Allisonknew nothing about it, but we're after him, and if she knows where heis," he turned as if to leave the room and ascend the stairs, "I willget it out of her."

  "You don't suppose that my daughter would----" began Mrs. Varney.

  "I suppose everything."

  "I will not believe it," persisted the mother.

  "We can't wait for what you believe," said Arrelsford roughly, this timetaking a step toward the door.

  Mrs. Varney caught him by the arm.

  "Let me speak to her," she pleaded.

  "No, I will see her myself."

  But Miss Mitford, who had been the indirect cause of so much trouble,once more interposed. She had listened to him with scarcely lesssurprise than that developing in Mrs. Varney's breast. She took amalicious joy in thwarting the Secret Service Agent. She barred the way,her slight figure in the door, with arms extended.

  "Where is your order for this?" she asked.

  Arrelsford stared at her in surprise.

  "Get out of my way," he said curtly; "I have a word or two to say to youafter I have been upstairs."

  "Show me your order," persisted the girl, who made not the slightestattempt to give way.

  "It's Department business and I don't require an order."

  "You are mistaken about that," said Caroline with astonishingresourcefulness. "This is a private house, it isn't the telegraph officeor the Secret Service Department. If you want to go upstairs or seeanybody against their will, you will have to bring an order. I don'tknow much, but I know enough for that."

  Arrelsford turned to Mrs. Varney.

  "Am I to understand, madam," he bega
n, "that you refuse----"

  But before Mrs. Varney could answer, the soldiers Arrelsford had broughtwith him gave way before the advent of a sergeant and another party ofmen. The Sergeant advanced directly to Mrs. Varney, touched his cap toher, and began:

  "Are you the lady that lives here, ma'am?"

  "Yes, I am Mrs. Varney."

  "I have an order from General Randolph's office to search this housefor----"

  "Just in time," said Arrelsford, stepping toward the Sergeant; "I willgo through the house with you."

  "Can't go through on this order," said the Sergeant shortly.

  "You were sent here to----" began Mrs. Varney.

  "Yes; sorry to trouble you, ma'am, but we'll have to be quick about it.If we don't find him here we've got to follow him down Franklin Street;he's over this way somewhere."

  "Who are you? What do you want?"

  "Man named Thorne, Captain of Artillery," answered the Sergeant; "that'swhat he went by, at least. Here, two of you this way! That room in thereand the back of the house. Two of you outside," pointing to the windows."Cut off those windows. The rest upstairs."

  The men rapidly dispersed, obeying the commands of the Sergeant, andbegan a thorough search of the house. Caroline Mitford preceded them upthe stairs to Edith's room. Arrelsford, after a moment's hesitation,stepped toward the door and went out, followed by his men. Without aword of acknowledgment or even a bow to Mrs. Varney, he and his menpresently left the house. As he did so, two of the Sergeant's menreentered the room, shoving old Jonas roughly before them. The man'slivery was torn and dirty, his head was bound up, and he showed signs ofthe rough handling he had undergone.

  "Where did you get that?" asked the Sergeant contemptuously.

  "He was locked in a closet, sir."

  "What were you doing in there?" He turned to the old negro. "If youdon't answer me, we will shoot the life out of you." He raised hisrevolver threateningly. "Belongs to you, I reckon," he said to Mrs.Varney.

  "Yes, my butler; they locked him up. Mr. Arrelsford wants him forcarrying a message."

  "That's all right," said the Sergeant. "If he wants him, he can havehim. We're looking for some one else. Put him back in his closet. Here,this room! Be quick now! Cover that door. Sorry to disturb you, ma'am."

  "Do what you please," said Mrs. Varney; "I have nothing on earth toconceal."

  As the men hurriedly withdrew to continue their search, the voice of anewcomer was heard on the porch. The words came to them clearly:

  "Here, lend a hand, somebody, will you?"

  The next moment General Varney's orderly entered the room, caught sightof the Sergeant, saluted, and then turned to Mrs. Varney.

  "I've brought back your boy, ma'am," he said.

  "Oh!" exclaimed Mrs. Varney faintly; "what do you mean----?"

  "We never got out to General Varney's. We ran into a Yankee raidingparty, cavalry, down here about three miles. Our home-guard wasgalloping by on the run to head them off, and before I knew what he wasabout, the boy was in with 'em, riding like mad. There was a bit of askirmish, and he got a clip across the neck. Nothing at all, ma'am. Herode back all the way, and----"

  "Oh, my boy! He's hurt--he's hurt----"

  "Nothing serious, ma'am; don't upset yourself," returned the orderlyreassuringly.

  "Where did you----"

  But that moment the object of their solicitude himself appeared on thescene. The boy was very pale, and his neck was bandaged. Two of theSergeant's men supported him.

  "Oh, Wilfred!" cried his mother; "my boy!"

  "It's nothing, mother," said Wilfred, motioning her away. "You don'tunderstand." The boy tried to free himself from the men who still heldhim by the arm. "What do you want to hold me like that for?" heexpostulated, as he drew himself away and took a few steps. "You see Ican walk," he protested.

  His words were brave, but his performance was weak. His mother cameclose to him and extended her arms toward him. But Wilfred was a soldiernow, and he did not want any scenes. Therefore, with a great effort, hetook her hand in as casual a manner as possible, quite like a strangerpaying an afternoon call.

  "How do you do, mother?" he said. "You didn't expect me back so soon,did you? I will tell you how it was. Don't you go away, orderly. I willjust rest a minute, and then I will go back with you." Another outburstof the cannon and the frantic pealing of the alarm bells caught hisattention. "See, they are ringing the bells calling out the reserves."He started toward the door. "I will go right now."

  "No, no, Wilfred," said his mother, taking his arm; "not now, my son."

  "Not now?" said Wilfred, whose weakness was growing apparent. "Do youhear those--those--those bells and--then tell me not--to go--why----"

  He swayed and tottered.

  "Stand by there!" cried the Sergeant.

  The two men immediately caught hold of him as he fainted. They carriedhim to the lounge.

  "Find some water, will you?" continued the Sergeant. "Put his head down,ma'am, and he'll be all right in a minute. He's only fainted."

  One of the privates who had hurried off in search of water soon cameback with a basin full, with which Mrs. Varney laved the boy's head.

  "He'll be all right in a minute," said the Sergeant. "Come, men."

  He turned as he spoke, and, followed by the men, left the room, leavingMrs. Varney with Wilfred and the orderly. It was the latter who brokethe silence.

  "If there isn't anything else, ma'am, I believe I'd better report backto the General."

  "Yes," said Mrs. Varney, "don't wait. The wound is dressed, isn't it?"

  "Yes; I took him to the Winder Hospital. They said he would be on hisfeet in a day or two, but he wants to be kept pretty quiet."

  "Tell the General how it happened."

  "Very well, ma'am," said the orderly, touching his cap and going out.

  The next person to enter the room was Caroline Mitford. The noise of themen searching the house was very plain. Having informed Edith of themeaning of the tumult, she had come downstairs to enquire if they hadfound Thorne. She came slowly within the door--rather listlessly, infact. The exciting events of the night in which she had taken part hadsomewhat sapped her natural vivacity, but she was shocked into instantaction when she saw Wilfred stretched upon the sofa.

  "Oh!" she breathed in a low, tense whisper; "what is it? Is he----"

  "Caroline dear," said Mrs. Varney, "it is nothing serious. He isn'tbadly hurt. He was cut in the neck and fainted. There, there,"--thewoman rose from Wilfred's side and caught the girl,--"don't you faint,too, dear."

  "I am not going to faint," said Caroline desperately. She took Mrs.Varney's handkerchief from the latter's hand, and dipped it in thewater. "I can take care of him," she continued, kneeling down by herboyish lover. "I don't need anybody down here at all. The men are goingall over the house and----"

  "But, Caroline----" began Mrs. Varney.

  "Mrs. Varney," returned the girl, strangely quiet, "there's a heap ofsoldiers upstairs, looking in all the rooms. I reckon you'd better goand attend to them. They will be in Edith's room, or Howard's, in aminute."

  "Yes, yes," said Mrs. Varney, "and Howard so ill. I must go for a fewminutes, anyway. You know what to do?"

  "Oh, yes," answered the girl confidently.

  "Bathe his forehead. He isn't badly hurt, dear. I won't be long, and hewill soon come to, I am sure," said Mrs. Varney, hastening away.

  Presently Wilfred opened his eyes. He stared about him unmeaningly anduncomprehendingly for the moment.

  "Wilfred, dear Wilfred," began the girl in soft, low, caressing tones,"you are not hurt much, are you? Oh, not much! There, you will feelbetter in just a moment, dear Wilfred."

  "You are not hurt much, are you?"]

  "Is there--are you----?" questioned Wilfred, striving to concentrate hismind on the problem of his whereabouts and her presence.

  "Oh, Wilfred, don't you know me?"

  "What are you talking about?" said Wilfred more strongly. "Of course I
know you. Where am I?" And as full consciousness came back to him, "Whatam I doing, anyway? Taking a bath?"

  "No, no, Wilfred; you see I am bathing your head. You fainted a little,and----"

  "Fainted!" exclaimed Wilfred in deep disgust. "I fainted!" He made afeeble attempt to rise, but sank back weakly. "Yes, of course, I was ina fight with the Yankees and got wounded somewhere."

  He stopped, puzzled, staring strangely, almost afraid, at Caroline.

  "What is it?" asked the girl.

  "See here," he began seriously; "I will tell you one thing right now. Iam not going to load you up with a cripple, not much."

  His resignation was wonderful.

  "Cripple!" exclaimed Caroline, bewildered.

  "I reckon I've got an arm knocked off, haven't I?"

  "No, you haven't, Wilfred; they are both on all right."

  "Perhaps it was a hand that they shot away?"

  "Not a single one," said Caroline.

  "Are my--my ears on all right?"

  "Yes," answered the girl. "You needn't bother about them for a moment."

  Wilfred staked all on the last question.

  "How many legs have I got left?"

  "All of them," answered Caroline; "every one."

  "Then, if there's enough of me left to--to amount to anything--you'lltake charge of it, just the same? How about that?"

  "That's all right," said the girl, burying her face on his shoulder.

  Wilfred got hold of her hand and kissed it passionately. He seemed quitestrong enough for that.

  "I tried to send you a telegram but they wouldn't let me," whisperedCaroline suddenly, raising her head and looking at him.

  "You did?"

  "Yes."

  "What did you say in it?"

  But here the girl's courage failed her.

  "Tell me what you said," persisted Wilfred.

  "It was something very nice," faltered poor Caroline.

  "It was, eh?"

  "Yes."

  "Was it as nice as this?" asked Wilfred, suddenly lifting his head andkissing her.

  "I don't know about that," stammered Caroline, blushing a beautifulcrimson, "but it was very nice. I wouldn't have tried to telegraph it ifit was something bad, would I?"

  "Well, if it was so good," said Wilfred, "why on earth didn't you sendit?"

  "Goodness gracious!" exclaimed Caroline; "how could I when they wouldn'tlet me?"

  "Wouldn't let you?"

  "I should think not. They had a dreadful time at the telegraph office."

  "At the telegraph office; were you there?" Wilfred made a violent effortto recollect. "I have it," he said in stronger tones; "they told me atthe hospital. I must get up."

  "No, no; you mustn't," said Caroline, interposing.

  "Don't," said Wilfred; "I have to attend to it." He spoke with a stern,strange decision, entirely foreign to his previous idle love-making. "Iknow all about Thorne. He gets hold of our Department Telegraph andsends out a false order, weakens our defences at Cemetery Hill." The boygot to his feet by this time, steadying himself by Caroline's shoulder."They are down on us in a moment." A look of pain, not physical, shotacross his face, but he mastered it. "And she gave it to him, thecommission; my sister Edith!" he continued bitterly.

  "Oh!" said Caroline; "you know----"

  "I know this. If my father were here, he'd see her. As he isn't here, Iwill attend to it. Send her to me."

  He spoke weakly, but in a clear voice and a most imperative manner. Hetook his hand off Caroline's shoulder. If he were to deal with this, sograve and critical a situation, he must do it without feminine support.By a great effort he held himself resolutely erect, repeating hiscommand.

  "Send her to me."

  "No," said Caroline faintly, just as Mrs. Varney reentered the room.

  "What is it?" asked the mother.

  "He wants to see Edith," returned the girl.

  "Not now, Wilfred," persisted Mrs. Varney; "you are weak and ill, andEdith----"

  "Tell her to come here, I must see her at once," repeated Wilfred.

  Mrs. Varney instantly divined the reason. Caroline had told him aboutthe telegraph office, but she could see no advantage to be gained by theinterview he sought.

  "It won't do you any good, Wilfred," she said. "She won't speak a wordto anybody about it."

  "I don't want her to speak to me," returned the boy grimly; "I am goingto speak to her."

  "But some other time, Wilfred," urged his mother.

  "No, no; immediately," but as no one made the slightest effort towardcomplying with his demand, "Very well," he continued, moving slowlytoward the door, and by a determined effort keeping his feet. "If youwon't send her to me, I will----"

  "There, there," said Mrs. Varney, interposing swiftly; "if you must, youmust. Since you insist, I will call her."

  "I do insist."

  "Stay with him, dear," said Mrs. Varney to Caroline, "and I will go andcall her."

  "No," said Wilfred, "I want to see her alone."

  Wondering much at this move of her boy-lover, but somehow feeling thatWilfred represented his father and the law, Caroline, after one longlook at his pale but composed face, turned and followed Mrs. Varney outof the room.