“Good God!—­you!”

“Yes; hands up, Le Gaire!  Don’t be a fool.”

His dark complexion was yellow with pallor, and I knew him for a coward at heart, yet his very hatred of me made him dangerous.  Hardy was different, realizing his helplessness, but eying me coolly, his hands held over his head.

“What does all this mean?” he asked quietly.  “Who the devil are you?”

“He’s that damned Yank Billie’s been so interested in,” broke out the captain, “the same fellow who knocked me off my horse at Jonesboro.”

Major Hardy glanced toward his daughter inquiringly, but before she could utter a word in explanation I cut in: 

“This has nothing to do with Miss Hardy.  She is as much a prisoner as you are.  Now, Captain, hand me your revolver—­butt first, please.  Major Hardy, I will also trouble you.  Now both of you back up slowly against the wall.”

Their faces were a study, Hardy rather seeming to enjoy the experience, his thin lips smiling grimly, but Le Gaire was mad, his jaw set, his eyes glaring at me.

“I should rather like to know what all this means, young man,” said the former.  “Do you expect to capture the house single-handed?”

“Hardly, but I’ve made a good start,” now fully at ease, with a revolver in each hand, the third thrust in my belt.  “However I’ve no time now to explain.”

Without turning my face from them I sidled over to the window, speaking quietly into the darkness without: 

“Come in, men, one at a time.”

Almost to my surprise they came over the rail like so many monkeys, scarcely a sound revealing the movements.  I saw the smile fade from off the major’s lips, and my eyes caught Billie’s wide open in astonishment.  The fellows hustled in behind me, not knowing what was expected of them, but ready enough for anything.  I glanced at them, beckoning to Miles.

“All here, Sergeant?  Then draw down the shade.  Wilson, you and Carney come over here, and keep an eye on these two men.  Miles, let me speak to you a moment.”

I led him into one corner, outlining the situation in a dozen words.

“There may be half a dozen in the dining-room—­yes, just across the hall—­including a preacher—­armed, of course, but they don’t suspect there is a Blue-coat within ten miles.  They’re out for a good time, and have been having it.  If you can get the bunch covered first, there need be no fight.  Don’t fire a shot; just lay the iron down on them.  Take all the men along, except the two I need here.  You know your business.”

“Sure,” grinning, “and what then?”

“Scout around the house.  I don’t believe there are any guards set, but it will be safer to make sure.”

“There’s some cavalrymen at the stable, sir; we heard ’em singin’ out there.”

“A few officers’ servants; you can attend to them easily enough after you are certain about the house.  By the way, who is the best man to send back?”