Part 15 (1/2)
Caton shook his head.
”My dear fellow, it is not that. Sheridan is hasty himself, and his temper often leads him to rash language. No, I am sure he bears you no malice for what you said. But Brennan has his ear, and has whispered something to him in confidence--what, I have been unable to ascertain-- which has convinced him that you are deserving of death under martial law.”
”Without trial?”
”The opportunity of furnis.h.i.+ng the information desired will be again offered you; but, as near as I can learn, the charge preferred against you is of such a private nature that it is deemed best not to make it matter for camp talk. Whatever it may be, Sheridan evidently feels justified in taking the case out from the usual channels, and in using most drastic measures. I am sorry to bring you such news, especially as I believe the charges are largely concocted in the brain of him who makes them, and have but the thinnest circ.u.mstantial evidence to sustain them. Yet Sheridan is thoroughly convinced, and will brook no interference. The discussion of the case has already led to his using extremely harsh words to his chief of staff.”
”I am to be shot, then?”
His hand closed warmly over mine. ”While there is life there is always hope,” he answered. ”Surely it must be in your power to prove the nature of your mission within our lines, and the delay thus gained will enable us to learn and meet these more serious allegations.”
”If I but had time to communicate with General Lee.”
”But now--is there no one, no way by which such representation can be given this very day? If not full proof of your innocence, then sufficient, at least, to cause the necessary delay?”
I shook my head. ”I know of nothing other than my own unsupported word,” I answered shortly, ”and that is evidently of no value as against Major Brennan's secret insinuations. When is the hour set?”
”I am not positive that final decision has yet been reached, but I heard daybreak to-morrow mentioned. The probability of an early movement of our troops is the excuse urged for such unseemly haste.”
I remained silent for a moment, conscious only of his kindly eyes reading my face.
”Mrs. Brennan,” I asked finally, recurring to the one thought in which I retained deep interest,--”does she still remain in the camp?”
”She was with the Major at headquarters this morning. I believe they breakfasted with the General, but I was on duty so late last night that I overslept, and thus missed the pleasure of meeting her again.”
We talked for some time longer, and he continued to urge me for some further word, but I could give him none, and finally the kindly fellow departed, promising to see me again within a few hours. Greatly as I now valued his friends.h.i.+p, it was, nevertheless, a relief to be alone with my thoughts once more.
CHAPTER XIII
A STRANGE WAY OUT
Caton came in once more about the middle of the afternoon, bringing me some blankets; but he had no news, and his boyish face was a picture of pathos as he wrung my hand good-bye. Sheridan, he said, had gone down the lines, and both Brennan and himself were under orders to follow in another hour. What instructions, if any, had been left regarding my case he could not say, but he feared the worst from the unusual secrecy. Sheridan expected to return to his headquarters that same evening, as the officers of his staff were to give a grand ball.
I felt no inclination to partake of the rude supper left me, and just before dark I was lying upon the bench idly wondering if that was to prove the last vestige of daylight I should ever behold in this world, when, without slightest warning, the heavy iron grating in the wall directly above me fell suddenly, striking the edge of the bench, and clattered noisily to the floor. The fall was so unexpected, and my escape from injury so narrow, that I lay almost stunned, staring up helplessly at the dark hole thus left bare. As I gazed, a face framed itself in this narrow opening, and two wary eyes peered cautiously down at me. There was no mistaking that countenance even in the fast waning light, and I instantly sat up with an exclamation of surprise, ”Jed Bungay, as I live!”
The puzzled face broke into a grin of delight.
”Holy smoke, Cap,” he e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed, with a deep sigh of relief, ”'s thet you, suah? I wus so durned skeered I'd made a mess o' it whin thet thar iron drapped thet I near died. 'He crossed the threshold--and a clang of angry steel that instant rang.'”
He peered around cautiously, s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g up his little eyes as though transforming them into miniature telescopes.
”'If thou wouldst view fair Melrose aright, go visit it by the pale moonlight.' Be ye all alone, Cap?”
”With the exception of a few rats, yes.”
”Whut be they a goin' ter dew with ye?”
”I have every reason to believe it is their purpose to shoot me at daybreak to-morrow.”
”Shoot?--h.e.l.l!” He stared at me as if he had just heard his own death sentence p.r.o.nounced, and his little peaked face looked ghastly in the dim light. ”Shoot ye? Good Lord, Cap, whut fer? Ye ain't done nothin'