KERCHIVAL.  She declines positively to give them up.

BUCKTHORN.  Oh!  Does she? [Walks thoughtfully; turns.] My dear young lady!  I trust you will give us no further trouble.  Kindly let us have those despatches.

GERTRUDE. [Looking away.] I have no despatches, and I would not give them to you if I had.

BUCKTHORN.  What!  You defy my authority?  Colonel West, I command you!  Search the prisoner! [GERTRUDE turns suddenly towards KERCHIVAL, facing him defiantly.  He looks across at her aghast.  A moment’s pause.

KERCHIVAL.  General Buckthorn—­I decline to obey that order.

BUCKTHORN.  You—­you decline to obey my order! [Moves down to him fiercely.

KERCHIVAL. [Apart.] General!  It is the woman I love.

BUCKTHORN. [Apart.] Is it?  Damn you, sir!  I wouldn’t have an officer in my army corps who would obey me, under such circumstances.  I’ll have to look for those despatches myself.

KERCHIVAL. [Facing him, angrily.] If you dare, General Buckthorn!

BUCKTHORN. [Apart.] Blast your eyes!  I’d kick you out of the army if you’d let me search her; but it’s my military duty to swear at you. [To GERTRUDE.] Colonel West has sacrificed his life to protect you.

GERTRUDE.  His life!

BUCKTHORN.  I shall have him shot for insubordination to his commander, immediately. [Gives KERCHIVAL a huge wink, and turns.

GERTRUDE.  Oh, sir!  General!  I have told you the truth.  I have no despatches.  Believe me, sir, I haven’t so much as a piece of paper about me, except—­

BUCKTHORN.  Except? [Turning sharply.

GERTRUDE.  Only a letter.  Here it is. [Taking letter from the bosom of her dress.] Upon my soul, it is all I have.  Truly it is.

BUCKTHORN. [Taking letter.] Colonel West, you’re reprieved. [Winks at KERCHIVAL, who turns away, laughing. BUCKTHORN reads letter.] “Washington”—­Ho!—­ho!  From within our own lines!—­“Colonel Kerchival West—­”

KERCHIVAL.  Eh?

GERTRUDE.  Please, General!—­Don’t read it aloud.

BUCKTHORN.  Very well!  I won’t.

KERCHIVAL. [Aside.] I wonder what it has to do with me?

BUCKTHORN. [Reading.  Aside.] “If Kerchival West had heard you say, as I did—­m—­m——­that you loved him with your whole heart—­” [He glances up at GERTRUDE, who drops her head coyly.] This is a very important military document. [Turns to last page.] “Signed, Constance Haverill.” [Turns to front page.] “My dear Gertrude!” Is this Miss Gertrude Ellingham?

GERTRUDE.  Yes, General.

BUCKTHORN.  I sent my daughter, Jenny, to your house, with an escort, this morning.

GERTRUDE.  She is here.

BUCKTHORN. [Tapping her under the chin.] You’re an arrant little Rebel, my dear; but I like you immensely. [Draws up suddenly, with an “Ahem!” Turns to KERCHIVAL.] Colonel West, I leave this dangerous young woman in your charge. [KERCHIVAL approaches.] If she disobeys you in any way, or attempts to escape—­read that letter! [Giving him the letter.