The sight of him stiffened me like a drink of brandy, and as the young aide closed the door in my rear, I stepped instantly forward to the table, facing him who I knew must be in command, and removing my hat, saluted.
"This is the prisoner you sent for, sir," announced the aide.
The officer, who remained seated, looked at me intently,
"Have I ever met you before?" he questioned, as though doubting his memory.
"You have, General Sheridan," I replied, "I was with General Early during your conference at White Horse Tavern. I also bore a flag to you after the cavalry skirmish at Wilson's Ford."
"I remember," shortly, and as he spoke he wheeled in his chair to face Brennan.
"I thought you reported this officer as a spy?" he said sternly. "He is in uniform, and doubtless told you his name and rank."
"I certainly had every reason to believe he penetrated our lines in disguise," was the instant reply. "This cavalry cloak was found with him, and consequently I naturally supposed his claim of rank to be false."
Sheridan looked annoyed, yet turned back to me without administering the sharp rebuke which seemed burning upon his lips.
"Were you wearing that cavalry cloak within our lines?" he questioned sternly.
"I was not, sir; it was indeed lying upon the floor of the hut when Major Brennan entered, but I had nothing to do with it."
He gazed at me searchingly for a moment in silence.
"I regret we have treated you with so little consideration," he said apologetically, "but you were supposed to be merely a spy. May I ask your name and rank?"
"Captain Wayne, ----th Virginia Cavalry."
"I was passing through them with despatches."
"You certainly realize that I must decline to answer."
"Major Brennan," he asked, turning aside again, "was this officer searched by your party?"
"He was, sir, but no papers were found. He stated to me later that his despatch was verbal."
"Well, how did he account to you for being where he was found?"
Brennan hesitated, and glanced uneasily toward me. Like a flash the thought came that the man was striving to keep her name entirely out of sight: he did not wish her presence mentioned.
"There was no explanation attempted," he said finally. "He seemed simply to be hiding there."