"Yes, sir."
"Preferably the latter. I needn't be connected with it hereafter—would rather not be."
"I see."
"Very good. This information should be had as soon as possible. In case you have to send a message, this paper contains a code, simple enough. The meaning depends on the position of the words. You can apparently mean anything you choose. Learn, and destroy paper. So much for that. Your name will be known at the department. You are at your own disposition till the thing is done. There are no directions. Now—one moment—this map. Lee and Longstreet are probably here. Somebody is, anyway. Jackson is God knows where—possibly there. If so, he'll be somewhere else to-morrow. Here's your pass. Any questions?"
"No, sir."
"That's all, then. You may go—mm—Captain Windham—some time I should like to see the impersonation of a general of division in a state of excitement. Hem! hem! Good-day, sir."
Gard galloped through the little village in the dusk, looking for Mavering, and found the fields beyond empty. The brigade was gone, the Third gone with it.
"I can't chase after him all night," he thought, impatiently. "Why doesn't he stay where he'd be useful?"
He caught sight of a horse fastened to a maple-tree up the road.