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he conversed a few minutes with the soldier who had succeeded him, when I called out:
How is the weather outside?
“All right, sir!”
replied the man, with a sly wink, and then I knew that my note had been safely delivered, and my liberation simply a question of time.
At about half-past 8 o'clock the sergeant of the guard came to the door with a paper in his hand, and called out:
E. J. Allen and William Ascot!
Ascot was the name of my operative who had been arrested with me, and with whom I had not exchanged a word since I had been imprisoned.
We responded to our names, and following the sergeant, were again taken to the room occupied by
Captain Ellison.
“The
Secretary of War has been informed of your arrest, and you will be conducted to him at once, and then we shall see whether you will remain silent any longer.”
The manner of the
Captain was imperious and commanding, and I laughed to myself as I thought of the possible result of our interview with the
Secretary.
The
Captain led the way, and in the company of four soldiers, we left the place, arriving in a few minutes at the residence of
Mr. Scott.
He was awaiting our arrival, and as we entered the room he ordered the guard to release me, and directed me to accompany him to his room.
I followed him immediately,
