He unlocked the door, and opened it.
So quiet was the interior that for an instant, without glancing at the bed, he cast a quick look at the window, which, till then, he had forgotten, and which he remembered gave upon the veranda roof.

But it was still closed, and as he approached the bed, he saw his wife still lying there, in the attitude in which he had left her.

But her eyes were ringed, and slightly filmed, as if with recent tears.
It was perhaps this circumstance that softened his voice, still harsh with command, as he said,-- "I suppose you knew those two men ?" "Yes." "And that I have put it out of their power to help you ?" "I do." There was something so strangely submissive in her voice that he again looked suspiciously at her.

But he was shocked to see that she was quite pale now, and that the fire had gone out of her dark eyes.
"Then I may tell you what is my plan to save you.

But, first, you must find this mulatto woman who has acted as your double." "She is here." "Here ?" "Yes." "How do you know it ?" he asked, in quick suspicion.
"She was not to leave this place until she knew I was safe within our lines.