They must have plenty
of oakum and turpentine for burning, which will be rolled in soaked
balls, and given to the men to burn when we get into the city--"
Socola lifted his hand.
"Please, dear--these instructions are not mine. I do not excuse or
palliate them. The daring youngster who conceived this paid the penalty
with his life. It's all that any of us can give for his country. There's
something that interests me now far more than this sensation--far more
than the mere fact that my true business here has been discovered by you
and my life forfeited to your Government--"
"And that is?"
"That the woman I love can deliver me to death--"
"You doubt it?"
"I had not believed it possible."
"I'll show you."
Jennie stepped to the door and pulled the old-fashioned bell-cord.
A servant appeared.
In strained tones the girl said:
"Go to Captain Welford's office and ask him to come here immediately
with two soldiers--"
"Yassam--"
The negro bowed and hurried from the house, and Jennie sat down in
silence beside the door.
Socola confronted her, his hands gripped in nervous agony behind his
back, his slender figure erect, his breath coming in deep excited
draughts.
"You think that I'll submit to my fate without a fight?"
"You've got to submit.
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