I gave a glance about its interior, marking the
distance to the ground; then took the key-and inserted it in the outer
lock. She stood silently facing me, her face flushed, her bosom rising
and falling swiftly.
"I regret very much this necessity," I apologized, "but you have left me
no alternative."
"I have no desire to be spared," she returned, "and no favors to ask,
Lieutenant Galesworth."
Our eyes met, mine, I am sure, as resolute as her own, and I stepped
back into the hall, closing and locking the door.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE CHALLENGE
I went slowly down stairs, swayed by a conflict of emotions. Had I
indeed gone too far, been too stern and abrupt? Still it was surely
better to err in this direction than to exhibit weakness, and it was
only between these two that I had any choice remaining. What lay between
us and our own lines was uncertain--possibly Confederate pickets,
surely bands of stragglers, renegades from both armies. Now that we had
waited so long, it would be a desperate chance to attempt to traverse
that ravine in daylight. We were far safer here, hidden away, but must
guard well that no knowledge of our presence be scattered abroad. Billie
had defied me, threatened, and refused to accept parole; nothing
remained but to hold her prisoner.
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