"If I could be of any service," said Jeanne bravely though every feature showed her dislike to the suggestion. "I will go."
"You are a brave little girl," said the Commander with appreciation. "I believe in you thoroughly, child, else I would not ask this of you."
"I am glad that you trust me," said Jeanne gratefully, her last fear of him vanishing. "I had begun to believe that I could never trust myself again."
"Our truest strength lies in knowing our weaknesses," said the General sententiously. "Truth is written on your face, and you are earnest and thoughtful beyond your years. The thing I wish you to do is this: go back to your uncle's and conduct yourself as far as possible as you have done. I am convinced that another attempt will soon be made to carry information to Thompson. I want you to let me know when the time will be. You can find out by keeping your eyes and ears open. Show that you are indignant at the part you have been made to play for that will be expected. Send me word the moment you suspect that the attempt will be made. Can you do this?"
"I will try, General. I will do it if only to redeem myself in your eyes. If I can find out the time I will."
"Then you may go now. I think you can understand why it is that I am so suspicious of every one, do you not, child? By the way, I found that everything was just as you said it was when you were here before. That has made it easy for you this time. Am I forgiven for the way I treated you then?"
"I forgave you long ago," said the girl sweetly. "I had been here but a short time when I realized that you must have hard work to hold these people down. And you have been good to believe me, General Butler. You are not nearly so bad as people think you are. They don't know how kind you are."
"I am afraid that there are not many who will agree with you," he said. "But there, child! I must attend to business. I will write to your father myself and just as soon as I hear from him you shall know it."
"Will you?" cried Jeanne. "And oh, do tell him to send for me soon."
"Yes, you poor child! Or if I see an opportunity to send you safely home you shall go. I think that I can send you by one of the steamers. If I had known of this you should have returned with Mrs. Butler."