ORDER NUMBER 249
"You see, daddy, dear, how horrid a master evil becomes. I began to help—just help the South a little in my anger, in my madness for vengeance. That wasn't bad, was it, to help my people?—oh, I do love them! And Dave hadn't come and there was no Dave-love. Well, I couldn't tell them that I was a woman—a girl, in fact—could I?—that wouldn't have been nice—so I let them think I was a man. I took the name of Lucas Mallory. Daddy, the thing I didn't think of—didn't once expect, was that they would not suspect me, when it came to suspecting, but all of you, and last have to think Dave was Mallory. See? Well, there is nothing to be done but for me, who brought the evil upon you, to take it with me. This I do to-night. The spy, Lucas Mallory, disappears to-night and reappears in the Confederate army. All of his activity here will cease. I have signaled that and when Stuart corroborates me, which I shall see to, you will hear no more of suspicion or treason—and will be left at peace.
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