“Well, since it must be, the sooner the ordeal is over the better,” said Suwanee, with increasing irritation.  “Captain Lane has sense enough to know that we are not responsible for his being taken away.”

“Hildy,” said Mrs. Barkdale, “go up and tell the gentlemen that breakfast is ready.”

In a few moments the old woman returned in a fluster and said, “I knock on de doah, and dey ain’t no answer.”

“What!” exclaimed Suwanee, in the accents of surprise; then, sharply, “go and knock louder, and wake them up,” adding, “it’s very strange.”

Hildy came back with a scared look, and said, “I knock and knock; den I open de doah, and der’ ain’t no one dere.”

“They must be out in the grounds for a walk,” exclaimed Roberta.  “Haven’t you seen them this morning?”

“I ain’t seen nuffin’ nor heard nuffin’,” protested the old woman.

“Girls, this is serious,” said Mrs. Barkdale, rising; and she summoned Lieutenant Macklin, who belonged to a class not received socially by the family.

“We have but this moment discovered,” said the lady, “that Captain Lane and Surgeon McAllister are not in their room.  Therefore we suppose they are walking in the grounds.  Will you please inform them that breakfast is waiting?”

“Pardon me, madam, they cannot be outside, or I should have been informed.”

“Then you must search for them, sir.  The house, grounds, and buildings are open to you.”

The fact of the prisoners’ escape soon became evident, and there were haste, confusion, and running to and fro to no purpose.  Suwanee imitated Roberta so closely that she was not suspected.  Lieutenant Macklin and the rebel sergeant at last returned, giving evidence of strong vexation.

“We don’t understand this,” began the lieutenant.

“Neither do we,” interrupted Mrs. Barkdale, so haughtily that they were abashed, although they directed keen glances towards Suwanee, who met their scrutiny unflinchingly.

The Barkdales were not people to be offended with impunity, and the lieutenant knew it.  He added, apologetically:  “You know I must do my duty, madam.  I fear some of your servants are implicated, or that guards have been tampered with.”

“You are at liberty to examine any one you please.”

They might as well have examined a carved, wrinkled effigy as old Cuffy, Lane’s midnight guide.  “I don’ know nuffin’ ’tall ’bout it,” he declared.  “My ole woman kin tell yo’ dat I went to bed when she did and got up when she did.”

The guard, bought with kindness, was as dense in his ignorance as any of the others.  At last Macklin declared that he would have to put citizens on the hunt, for his orders admitted of no delay.

The Union prisoners, together with the Confederates, when formed in line, gave a ringing cheer for “Missy S’wanee and the ladies,” and then the old mansion was left in more than its former isolation, and, as the younger girl felt, desolation.