The Lost Despatch

  CHAPTER V

  A SCRAP OF PAPER

  "A penny for your thoughts, Nancy." Mrs. Warren leaned across the tableand addressed her friend.

  Nancy started guiltily, and her thoughts returned to her surroundingswith a rush. Senator Warren, seated on her left, noticed her confusion,and whispered in her ear:

  "Blue or gray?"

  "Gray," she answered; then colored hotly as she met his amused gaze.

  "You did not notice me this morning," continued the senator, loweringhis voice so the others could not hear, "and Major Goddard had eyes butfor you--small blame to him!"

  Nancy drew a long, slow breath of relief, and the carmine receded fromher cheeks.

  "Major Goddard is very good-looking," she said composedly. "Hiscoloring is a decided relief from the many blond men one meetsnowadays. Blue-black hair and gray eyes are an unusual combination."

  "Did you see the President to-day, Senator?" inquired their host,Colonel Mitchell, breaking in on the conversation; and Nancy sat backin her chair, glad of a moment's respite in which to collect herthoughts. Her head ached, and she pushed the soft hair from off herforehead with an impatient hand. Would her chaperone never make themove to leave?

  Their table was in one corner, and Nancy sat with her back to the otherdiners. Mrs. Warren and the two men were soon absorbed in a heatedargument as they slowly sipped their coffee. Nancy turned impatientlyin her seat, and surveyed the animated scene behind her with restless,tired eyes.

  Washington, filled with strangers from all sections of the countrylying north of Mason and Dixon's line, was a city of perpetual unrest.Besides the soldiers stationed in the encircling camps andfortifications, regiments were continually passing through the capitalon their way to and from the front. Statesmen, government contractors,and shoddy politicians haunted hotel lobbies and restaurants.

  Gautier's, where many of the old residents and statesmen congregated,was more than usually crowded that night, and the Frenchman haddifficulty in supplying the wants of his patrons; so earlier in theevening he had engaged extra waiters to meet the emergency.

  The stringed orchestra in the gallery ceased playing, and in themomentary lull Nancy's quick ear caught fragments of conversationbetween two officers seated at the adjoining table. Interested, shegently edged her chair nearer to the men; then, leaning back, pretendedto be absorbed in watching some new arrivals, as Sam, who was earningan honest penny by doing extra work on his night off from Wormley's,deftly removed the dessert plates.

  "I tell you, Jim," Nancy heard the older officer say positively, "Grantintends to have Sheridan join him as soon as he breaks winter camp."

  "Nonsense, nonsense; the strategical movement would be to have himmarch south and re-enforce Sherman. That would mean the death knell ofthe Confederacy."

  "You are entirely wrong," returned the first speaker heatedly. "Why,man, look here; suppose this pepper-caster is Richmond, this crustPetersburg, this crumb Lee, and this crumb Grant--now, bring thiscrumb, Sheridan..." His words were drowned by the strains of "The GirlI Left Behind Me," and the other diners in the room joined in thechorus.

  At the conclusion of the song, Mrs. Warren gathered her belongingstogether, preparatory to departure. Colonel Mitchell, seeing his guestshad finished supper, opened his pocketbook and drew out a roll of banknotes. As he thrust the money back into the pocketbook after paying hisbill, a small folded piece of paper dropped unseen, except by Nancy, onthe floor close beside her chair.

  Like a flash she planted her foot squarely on it. Colonel Mitchell hadrisen to help Mrs. Warren into her wrap; the senator was busy talkingto a newcomer. None of them had noticed her quick action. Dare shestoop over and pick up the paper? As she hesitated, their waiter, Sam,returned with the colonel's change. Mitchell waved the tray awayimpatiently, and the negro stepped back, dropping his napkin overNancy's foot as he did so.

  "Please 'scuse me, missy." Stooping swiftly, he deftly lifted her footand removed the paper as he picked up the cloth. "Hyar's yo' napkin,"laying it back in her lap; then in a voice that reached her ear alone,"Look out, yo' am bein' watched."

  "Thank you, Sam." Nancy's voice was unruffled as her fingers closedspasmodically over the paper concealed in the napkin. Seeing herfriends were still occupied, she seized her chance, and whisperedrapidly: "Go to Mr. Shriver's room at Wormley's, search behind theglass in the mirror over his bureau; then bring the paper you will findconcealed there to me at the Perrys' to-night." Sam noddedunderstandingly. Nancy rose. "Senator Warren, will you help me on withmy coat."