"Shut up," said Colonel Winchester. "If I catch you two fighting I may
have you both shot as an example."

Dick and Warner grinned good-naturedly at each other. They knew that
Colonel Winchester did not dream of carrying out such a threat, and they
knew also that they had no intention of fighting.

"And after you knocked him out what happened?" asked the colonel.

Dick looked sheepish.

"He lay so still I was afraid he was dead," he replied. "I ran down to
a brook, filled my cap with water, and returned with it in the hope of
reviving him. I got there just in time to see him vanishing in the
bushes. Pursuit was hopeless."

"He was clever," said the Colonel. "Have you any idea who he was?"

"He told me. He was Victor Woodville, the son of Colonel John Woodville,
C.S.A., the owner of this house."

"Ah!" said Colonel Winchester, and then after a moment's thought he added:
"It's just as well he escaped. I should not have known what to do with
him. But we have you, Dick, to thank for giving the alarm. Now, go
inside and change to some dry clothes, if you have any in your baggage,
and if not dry yourself before a fire they're going to build in the
kitchen."

"Will you pardon me for speaking of something, sir?"