“How did you learn it?  A man told you?”

“Three different men, of different regiments, told me.”

“Well, that ought to be accepted,” said he.

I was allowed to remain at my ease near the circle of officers.  It was easy to see that Colonel Tyler was almost convinced that I was telling the truth.

In about an hour the sergeant returned without the two men, and accompanied by Jones, who was leading my horse, and who at once handed the colonel a paper.  I was immediately released, and in little more than two hours reached the camp of General Morell, and made my report.

* * * * *

General Morell expressed gratification at my quick return with valuable results.  He told me that General Hooker’s command had not moved, and that he would gladly send a statement of my work to General Grover, and would say that I would be found with Dr. Khayme until actually ordered back to the left.  He then told me to go back to my quarters and rest; that I must get all the rest I could, and as quickly as possible.

* * * * *

Although the day was quite warm, I put my gum-blanket over me, to shield my gray clothes from the gaze of the curious.  I was soon at Dr. Khayme’s tent.  Without thinking, I entered at once, throwing off the hot blanket.  Lydia sprang up from a camp-stool, and raised her hands; in an instant she sat again, trembling.  She was very white.

“I did not know you,” she said; “yet I ought to have known you:  Father prepared me; but we did not expect you before to-morrow, at the earliest.”  She was still all a-tremble.

“I am sorry that I startled you so; but I was so eager to hide from all eyes that I did not think of anything else.  Where is the Doctor?”

“He had a case to attend to somewhere—­I don’t know where it is; he said he should be back to supper.”

Lydia was getting ready to leave the tent.  “I suppose you have had hard work,” said she, “and I shall leave you, yet I so wish to know what success you have had.”

“Then stay, and I will tell you about it,” said I.

“Only tell me whether you succeeded,” she said.

“Yes, I succeeded.  I went into the rebel camp and remained all night with a brigade of them.  I know all that I was sent to learn.”

“Oh, Father will be so glad!” she said; “now I will let you rest till he comes, although I should like to hear all about it.”

“But you will not hinder me by remaining,” I exclaimed; “to be plain with you, I had to throw away my uniform, and you see me with all the clothes I’ve got.”

She laughed; then, hanging her head a little, she said, “You need rest, though, and I’ll see if I cannot help you while you get some sleep.”