The provost marshal was reached at last and Dick's name and regiment were duly registered. Then the provost turned to Jeanne.
"I don't know what to do with you," he said. "What were you doing?"
"Dick and I were trying to reach the Mississippi River hoping that we might get home," said Jeanne.
"Were you carrying anything beyond the lines?"
"How came you within our lines?" persisted the officer, attracted by her youth and innocence, yet determined to probe the affair to the bottom.
"I came from New Orleans," said Jeanne. "I was visiting my uncle. When they left the city they took me with them but left me at a deserted plantation. I started back to New Orleans but fell in with Colonel Peyton's camp and he was bringing me to Jackson where he said that he would send me to our side. I met Dick and so went with him because he is my brother."
"But what was Dick doing here?" queried the man. "What business has a Union soldier in this part of the country?"
"I was a prisoner," answered Dick, speaking for himself. "I had escaped and when I knew that my sister was in the hands of you fellows I waited to take her away."
And Dick awaited the effect of his bold declaration anxiously for he was uneasy for his sister.
"I don't know what to do with you," said the provost again.
"Let me go with Dick," pleaded Jeanne eagerly. "He is wounded as you see, sir, and needs care and attention. Please let me go with him. I won't be a bit of trouble."
"I don't know but that that will be the best way out of the difficulty," remarked the officer musingly. "At least until I can investigate further. What was the name of your uncle?"
"Benjamin Vance!" exclaimed the officer in amazement. "He is well-known in Vicksburg. Why, he and his wife are here now visiting relatives. I will send for him at once."
"Right here," responded the other. "Orderly, will you send word to the La Chaise manor that I would like Mr. Vance to come here?"
The Orderly saluted and left the room. The provost turned his attention to other matters while Dick and Jeanne waited with beating hearts the return of the man.
In about an hour's time the Orderly returned and with him came the well-known form of Mr. Vance. Behind him, her silken skirts rustling, her face wreathed in smiles, her manner full of smirks and graces, walked Madame Vance.