Now be off." He saluted, wheeled sharply about, and went out the window.

I heard him strike the ground.

Then I sat silently looking at the others in the room, wondering how the sergeant was getting along, and slowly realizing that I had a white elephant on my hands.

I was endeavoring to play two games at once, love and war, and the various moves were confusing.

It might be possible even for my little squad to hold this advance position until reinforcements arrived, but what could be done with the prisoners?
Billie might forgive me--realizing the motive--for all which had occurred thus far, but if I were to turn her father and Le Gaire over to the hardships of a Northern prison, I could expect no mercy.