“Yes,” Alfred answered, “but why do you ask?”

“Oh, nothing in particular,” he replied, “only in the event his being Awtry, you will have a double motive in finding out whether he is a spy or not.”

“You are right,” observed Alfred, “but whether he is Awtry or not, I should deem it my duty to the Government to ferret out the true status of that man, and to have him brought to justice if he is really a spy.  Your request to carry him to the Court House is a strange one, and I will cheerfully comply with it, although I cannot see how his being there will enable us to make the discovery.”

“Leave that to me,” answered Harry, “and content yourself with believing that I am certain it will prove whether he is an Englishman or a Yankee.”

With that the two friends departed and Harry returned home much perplexed at the manner he had arranged for the husband and wife to meet.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENTH.

TRIAL OF MRS. WENTWORTH—­THE ADVOCATE.

The morning for the trial of Mrs. Wentworth arrived, and at the hour of ten she appeared in the court.  Her appearance was changed since we last saw her.  The kind hearted daughter of Dr. Humphries had visited her the day before with a supply of clothing, and though her features retained their haggard and care-worn expression, none who looked upon her as she entered the court room could have failed to perceive that she was a lady and unlike a majority of females brought before a jury to answer grave charges.  Her case did not excite any notice until she appeared, when the pinched and sharp face presented to the spectators, and the evidence her lady-like demeanor gave of her being a different subject from that usually presented, awoke a feeling of interest in the crowd, and many enquiries were made of the nature of the charge made against her.  None, however, could inform the inquisitors, and they awaited the reading of the charges.

As Mrs. Wentworth entered the room she cast a look at the jury box, and a shudder came over her as she perceived Mr. Elder sitting among the jurymen.  She knew that he would not favor the dismissal of the case; but a gleam of hope presented itself in the person of Dr. Mallard, who she believed to be a good man, notwithstanding his abrupt and true remarks at the bedside of her dying child.  These were the only two persons present she knew, save and except Mr. Swartz, who stood near by, ready to give his evidence against her.  But from him she expected nothing; nor did she intend to ask one word of favor or mercy.  There was no disposition within her to sue for mercy, nor did she purpose denying or palliating her having taken the money.