His small eyes were set close together, but they sparkled with shrewdness and cunning.
The big man presently noticed the lad who was sitting quietly in one of the chairs against the wall.

Dick's was an alien presence there, and doubtless this fact had attracted his attention.
"Good day to you," said the stranger in a bluff, deep voice.

"I take it from your uniform, your tan and your thinness that you've come from active service." "In both the west and the east," replied Dick politely.

"I was at Shiloh, but soon afterward I was transferred with my regiment to the east." "Ah, then, of course, you know what is going on in Virginia ?" "No more than the general public does.

I was at Cedar Run, which both we and the rebels claim as a victory." The man instantly showed a great increase of interest.
"Were you ?" he said.