The Crescent Spy Read Online Free PDF Page B

That’s all I’ll say about that.”
    Gray let his oars fold in against the boat, dipped his hands into the water, and splashed his face and neck, then eyed the opposite shore and began to row again. They were now so far downstream that it would be a long walk west to reach the road to Manassas. Again, she was confused as to why Mr. Pinkerton and Mr. Gray hadn’t simply hired a carriage and taken her out of the city by way of the Long Bridge.
    “If you’re not a spy,” Gray said, as if in answer to her unspoken question, “there are plenty in Washington who are. I needed to make a spectacle of your departure. Word will get back to the enemy.”
    Josephine allowed herself to hope she would get out of this predicament. “Does that mean you knew all along? Was my arrest at the Morning Clarion a charade?”
    “You are sharp, you understand most of it. The answer is no, not entirely a charade. Mr. Pinkerton wanted to be sure. And I’m not yet convinced.” A smile crossed his lips, and for the first time he didn’t look like an unfeeling beast. “But almost.”
    “After I gave Beauregard’s staff the supplies,” Josephine said, continuing her story with less reluctance, “they were happy to lead me through their encampment, proudly showing me this regiment and that. Telling how they meant to lick the Yanks and march on Washington. I was in Beauregard’s camp for most of the battle, and only slipped away near the end.”
    “ Will the enemy march on Washington? We were routed yesterday, scattered. Completely disorganized. If they came now . . .”
    “So are they. Almost as disorganized in victory as we are in defeat.”
    “I am glad to hear it.” Gray glanced over his shoulder at the opposite bank, now drawing near. He was breathing heavily but did not appear exhausted. “What drives you, Miss Breaux? What is your personal philosophy?”
    “Mr. Gray, I write lurid prose to be consumed by the masses. My philosophy, my motive, is personal glory.”
    He laughed at this. “Very well. But are you seeking glory under the Union flag or with the secessionists?”
    “I am a Union girl, sir. Secession is simply another word for treason. And slavery is a canker and an embarrassment, and must be swept away.” Josephine nodded. “So long as it does not get in the way of a good story, of course.”
    “And you would take the oath of allegiance, truthfully and without guile?”
    She lifted her right hand. “I will support the Constitution of the United States.”
    “Good. I thought you would.”
    Gray pulled the oars out of the water. They were only twenty yards from the grassy slope on the Virginia side of the river, but he let them drift downstream for another few minutes, the muddy current slowly twisting the boat around as they slid past guard posts and tent encampments. The meadows gave way to woods, and when they were beyond the last guard post, he eased them up to shore. He helped her out of the boat.
    “I assume you have given up on your plan to deliver me to the Confederates,” she said.
    “There was never a plan in the first place. If you failed to convince me, I was going to abandon you here and go back alone, leaving you with the threat of jail should you return.”
    Josephine put her hands on her hips. “Seems a lot of fuss and bother if that was your intent all along. What now, will you row me across and tell Mr. Barnhart to hire me back at the paper?”
    “I’m afraid you’re finished with the Morning Clarion , Miss Breaux.”
    “You devil, I am not! You will march at once to my publisher and tell him I am innocent of this slander and demand that he reinstate me. I don’t care what that rag the Washington Standard says, I’m the best writer in the city.”
    “My, you’re a feisty one,” Gray said, in a tone equal parts admiring and condescending. “But no, Mr. Pinkerton has other plans for you.”
    “My imagination fails me, Mr. Gray.”
    “Miss Breaux, if you declared the oath of