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Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander), 1862-1919

"A Story of Lee's Great Stand"

He did not see the shadow, but once or twice he felt
that it was there.
The officer, Bathurst, told him one night that some important papers had
been stolen from the White House of the Confederacy itself.
"They pertain to our army," said Bathurst, "and they will be of value to
the enemy, if they reach him."
"I'm quite certain that the most daring and dangerous of all northern
spies is in Richmond," said Harry.
Then he told Bathurst of Shepard and of the trails that he had seen among
the pines behind Curtis's house.
"Do you think this man got our map?" asked Bathurst.
"It may have been so. Perhaps he was hidden in the court and when he saw
us go out, leaving the map on the table, he slipped in at the window and
seized it."
"But the court was enclosed. He would have had to go with the paper
through the house itself."
"That's where my theory fails. I can provide for his taking the paper,
but I can't provide for his escape."
"I'll tell the General about it. I think you're right, Harry. I've
heard of Shepard myself, and he's worth ten thousand men to the Yankees.
It's more than that. At such a critical stage of our affairs he might
ruin us. We'll make a general search for him. We'll rake the city with
a fine tooth comb.


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