"General, let me say a few words to him and to you."
"All right." He made a movement, and his staff dispersed--very reluctantly, no doubt, but quickly enough.
"Now, Jones, my dear boy," said the Doctor, "I think you may confide in the general. You see, General, there is a private matter in which my friend here is greatly interested, and which he does not want everybody to hear."
"He may rely on my confidence in matters personal--and if he is bringing me the truth, he may rely on my protection," said the general; "now speak up and convince me, and be quick."
"General," I said, "I went into the rebel army as a Union spy. I am a regularly enlisted man in the Eleventh Massachusetts."
Dr. Khayme said, "That is true, General."
"Then," roared the general, "then why the hell did you take so long to tell it?"
He dashed off from us. He called his aides. He began sending despatches like the woods afire.