“Thank you,” was the grave reply, and he turned to dismiss his men.  Then a thought struck him and he detained her with a gesture.

“Pardon me, but if it was true—­if a brother or a father—­was concealed in there—­wouldn’t your answer be the same?”

The answer that came proudly back did not amaze him.  “I would try to protect them—­yes!  Even with a perjury!”

“Ah!” he said sharply.  “Then, don’t you you see, you tie the hands of courtesy and force me to—­to this invasion of your home. Corporal! Make a search of the house for hidden arms or stragglers and report to me.  If any rebels are found—­bring them out.  Wait,” he ordered, as the Corporal promptly started forward, “nothing else, whatever, must be taken or molested.”

“One moment,” commanded Mrs. Cary in her turn and beckoned to Uncle Billy who had been standing by in silence.  “William! conduct these soldiers through my house—­and show them every courtesy.  If the Colonel’s orders are not obeyed, report to me.”

“Yas’m,” grinned Uncle Billy, with an opera bouffe salute.  “Ev’ry molestashun I’se gwine report.”

Morrison laughed outright.  “I’m sorry you still have doubts of my honorable intentions.  May—­may my soldiers go in now?  Thank you.”

He walked away a few steps, then turned and looked at her where she sat on the bench demurely sewing.  It occurred to him that she was too demure.  Besides, he had discovered something.

“Er—­it is true that I found your stable empty,” he said, while his eyes probed hers, “but, curiously enough, it seems to have been recently occupied.”

“Yes?” was the non-committal reply.

“Yes,” he echoed, with a touch of iron in his voice.  “And you can insure our leaving you more quickly if you will tell me where these horses have been hidden.”

Mrs. Cary did not raise her eyes.

“Granted that we had them,” she said, “I’m afraid I must trouble you to look for them.  Otherwise there would be no sense in trying to protect my property.”

“Right again,” he acknowledged, but did not swerve from what he had to do.  “Orderly,” he commanded, “report to Lieutenant Harris at the stables and have him hunt the woods and swamp for hidden horses.  Hurry!  We must leave in half an hour.”

As Morrison spoke his eye fell on the roadway and he started perceptibly.  When he turned back to the woman on the bench it was with a sterner light in his eye.

“I also notice that a horse has recently been fed and watered in your carriage road. Whose was he?”

Again that smooth, soft voice with its languid evasions.  “We have several neighbors, Colonel.  They visit us at infrequent times.”

“Undoubtedly,” he conceded.  “But do you usually feed their horses?”

She smiled faintly.  “What little hospitality is ours extends to both man and beast.”