GERTRUDE.  Indeed! [He throws open the wallet in his hand and raises the letter.] Ah! [She turns away; turns again, as if to speak.  He half opens the letter.  She stamps her foot and walks up steps of the veranda.  Here she turns again.] I tell you, I—­[He opens the letter.  She turns, and exits with spiteful step.

KERCHIVAL.  I wonder if that document orders me to cut her head off! [Returning it to wallet and pocket.] Was ever lover in such a position?  I am obliged to cross the woman I love at every step.

Enter CORPORAL DUNN, very hurriedly.

CORPORAL DUNN.  A message from Adjutant Rollins, sir!  The prisoner, Captain Thornton, dashed away from the special guard which was placed over him, and he has escaped.  He had a knife concealed, and two of the guard are badly wounded.  Adjutant Rollins thinks the prisoner is still within the lines of the camp—­in one of the houses or the stables.

KERCHIVAL.  Tell Major Wilson to place the remainder of the guard under arrest, and to take every possible means to recapture the prisoner. [CORPORAL DUNN salutes, and exits.] So!  Thornton has jumped his guard, and he is armed.  I wonder if he is trying to get away, or to find me.  From what I know of the man, he doesn’t much care which he succeeds in doing.  That scar which I gave him in Charleston is deeper in his heart than it is in his face. [A signal light suddenly appears on Three Top Mountain.  The “Call."] Ah!—­the enemy’s signal! [Enter CAPTAIN LOCKWOOD, followed by LIEUTENANT OF SIGNAL CORPS.] Captain Lockwood!  You are here!  Are your Signalmen with you?

LOCKWOOD.  Yes, Colonel; and one of my Lieutenants.

[The LIEUTENANT is looking up at signal with glass. CAPTAIN LOCKWOOD does the same. HAVERILL enters, followed by two STAFF OFFICERS.

HAVERILL. [As he enters.] Can you make anything of it, Captain?

LOCKWOOD.  Nothing, General!  Our services are quite useless unless Lieutenant Bedloe returns with the key to their signals.

HAVERILL.  A—­h! [Coming down stage.] We shall fail.  It is time he had returned, if successful.

SENTINEL. [Without.] Halt!  Who goes there? [KERCHIVAL runs up stage, and half way up incline, looking off.] Halt! [A shot without.

BARKET. [Without.] Och!—­Ye murtherin spalpeen!

KERCHIVAL.  Sentinel!  Let him pass; it is Sergeant Barket.

SENTINEL. [Without.] Pass on.

KERCHIVAL.  He didn’t give the countersign.  News from Lieutenant
Bedloe, General!

BARKET. [Hurrying in, up slope.] Colonel Wist, our brave byes wiped out the enemy, and here’s the papers.

KERCHIVAL. [Taking papers.—­Then to LOCKWOOD.] Is that the key?

LOCKWOOD.  Yes.  Lieutenant! [LIEUTENANT hurries up to elevation, looking through his glass. LOCKWOOD opens book.