“This is bad news,” remarked Harry, “and I fear it will have a sad effect upon Alfred.  I have been overcome with sympathy at observing his silent grief at the bedside of his raving wife, and several times I have heard him mutter, ’never mind, my darling, you will soon recover, and then we will be happy.’  Unfortunate man!  Could there be the slightest possibility of saving his wife, I am certain you would not despair.”

“I do not yet despair,” replied the doctor, “although I fear very much her case is hopeless.  I have sent for Dr. Mallard and Dr. Purtell; when they have seen Mrs. Wentworth, we will have a consultation, and I trust some good will accrue from it.  By the way,” he continued, changing the conversation, “have you heard what has become of the supposed spy arrested in the court house?”

“I heard on yesterday that his trunks had been searched, but nothing had been discovered in them, beyond the fact that he was Mr. Awtry, and not an Englishman, as he pretended to be.”

“Have they discharged him?” inquired the doctor.

“Oh no;” Harry replied, “the fact of his assuming a false character was deemed sufficient evidence to keep him in prison until further discoveries are made.”

“It is very likely, then, that he will eventually pay the penalty of his crimes,” observed the doctor.

“Yes; and I trust it will not be long before he suffers death,” Harry answered, and then added:  “I am not bloodthirsty, nor do I favor the hoisting of the black flag, as so many appear desirous of doing.  But for a wretch like Awtry, I have not the slightest pity, and would hear of his execution with pleasure.  If even there is no proof discovered of his being a spy, his brutality to Mrs. Wentworth merits punishment, and if only for that, I should desire to see him hung or shot.  However, I have no fear but that the fact of his being a spy will be discovered, for several of the most expert detectives in the service are on the search for the necessary evidence to convict him.”

“And which evidence I trust they will soon discover,” remarked the doctor.  “Like you, I am averse to a war of extermination, but when instances like the one before us are brought to our notice, an outraged and indignant people demand satisfaction and should have it accorded to them.”

“Ah! my dear sir,” replied Harry, “while Awtry’s outrage on Mrs. Wentworth deserves condemnation and punishment, he is not solely the guilty cause of her sufferings.  From the moment she reached our lines, it was the duty of the people of this city to aid and succor her.  Had this been done, her daughter may have been alive this day.  Unfortunately the philanthropic and charitable were idle and waited until such cases came to their notice.  Had they looked for them, Mrs. Wentworth never would have fallen into the hands of unprincipled speculators and extortioners, and would have been spared the load of affliction which has now periled her life.”