"Hold on a minute," said Hindman. "General Frost may have some word he would like to send."
"Sending a courier into Missouri?" asked Frost.
"Yes, the same young man who brought those dispatches last night, that Dupont should have brought. I am sorry to say Dupont is dead."
"Dead! Dupont dead! Did the Yankees get him?"
"No, he died of the fever. He arrived at Chittenden's in a dying condition and gave his dispatches to Grafton to bring on."
"Grafton? I think I have heard that name from Colonel Clay. Happy to meet you, Grafton. Let me hear the news from Missouri."
Much against his will Mark was forced to remain and again rehearse his story. When he told of the capture of the train and the defeat of Powell, Frost became very much excited.
"What Federal officer did you say was in command?" he asked.
"I didn't say, but I understood it was a Captain Middleton."
Frost sprang to his feet, letting out a volley of oaths.