Went East when the war broke out, to offer my sword and knowledge of Ingin fightin' to Uncle Sam! Drifted into a big pork contract at St.Louis, with Fremont.
Been at it ever since.

Offered a commission in the reg'lar service lots o' times.

Refused." "Why ?" asked Brant demurely.
"Too much West Point starch around to suit ME," returned Hooker darkly.
"And too many spies!" "Spies ?" echoed Brant abstractedly, with a momentary reminiscence of Miss Faulkner.
"Yes, spies," continued Hooker, with dogged mystery.

"One half of Washington is watching t'other half, and, from the President's wife down, most of the women are secesh!" Brant suddenly fixed his keen eyes on his guest.

But the next moment he reflected that this was only Jim Hooker's usual speech, and possessed no ulterior significance.