At dark, in despair and
desperation, he wrote a note.
"DEAR MISS BETTY:
"For one look into your dear eyes I am here. I've tried in vain to
meet you. I can't leave without seeing you. I'll wait in the park
at the foot of the avenue to-morrow night at dusk. Just one touch
of your hand and five minutes near you is all I ask----"
There was no signature needed. She would know. He mailed it and hurried
to his appointment.
The boy was prompt. There was no one in sight. Ned hurriedly examined
the sheet of paper, verified the known commands and their numbers and,
convinced of its genuineness, handed the money to the traitor.
"For God's sake, never speak to me again or recognize me in any way," he
begged through chattering teeth. "I got those things from Stanton's desk
and copied them."
Ned nodded, placed the precious document in his pocket, and watched the
fool hurry with swift feet straight to Joe Hall's place and disappear
within.
Betty failed to come at the appointed time and he was heartsick. He
would finish his work in six hours to-morrow and he should not lose a
moment in passing the Federal lines. The precious figures he had bought
were memorized and the paper destroyed. In six hours next day he
completed the drawings of the fort on which information had been asked
and was ready to leave.
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