PRIVATE BERWICK,
On detached service,
At Sanitary Camp,
Rear of General Hancock's division.
"Who gave you this?" I asked.
"A man has just come with it--a horseman--two horsemen; no, a horseman with two horses."
"Is he waiting?"
"Yes, sir."
I tore open the envelope. The Doctor was showing no curiosity; the thought went through my mind that he already knew or suspected.
There were three papers,--a sketch, a sort of passport which contained only the countersigns for the past five days, and an order from General Hooker.
The order itself gave me no information of the reasons which had influenced General Hooker to choose me for the work required; I could merely assume that General Grover had nominated me. I read the order thoroughly three times, learned by heart the countersigns, impressed the map on my mind, and then destroyed the three papers in accordance with an express injunction comprised in the order itself. This mental work took some minutes, during which the Doctor sat impassive.
"Doctor, I must go."
"Well, Jones, we can finish, our talk when you return. I suppose you are on secret service."