Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/70

 56 Harwood. Fox fell upon his knees beside the motionless form, ordering the windows thrown open, his hands touching the lifeless flesh.

"Dead for hours," he exclaimed in a tone of horror, turning his gaze upon me. "Struck from behind—see, Raymond. What in God's name can this mean?"

He began searching the pockets.

"Not robbery—for here is money, and a watch. But the papers are gone, every scrap of them." He looked about at the men. "The Major had his papers with him, did he not, Chambers?"

"Yes, sir," and the young, boyish soldier addressed straightened up. "I was with him when he put on citizen's clothes, and he slipped a big buff packet into his pocket."

Fox's bewildered glance met mine.

"Do you know what that packet contained, Captain?" I questioned.

"Only that it was entrusted to his care by General Ramsay, and its destination was the army on the Potomac."

"To be forwarded by this man Taylor?"

"I do not know. Harwood expected to meet Taylor here at Hot Springs, but I think there were others to be here also. The Major kept his own counsel, but something I overheard caused me to