"Drop that now; we are alone. I did not think we would see one another so soon again."
"And I hoped it would have been spared me, too," said Hartmut gloomily. "You come—"
"From headquarters, I heard that you were on picket duty on Chapel mountain. A fearful night for such a service."
Hartmut was silent. No need to say that had he not been roused it would have been his last. Egon glanced uneasily at him; despite the uncertain light he saw how exhausted and spent the man before him was as he leaned against a pillar as if needing support.
"I came with a commission which you can accept or not as you see fit," he began again. "The thing is almost impossible, would be altogether so for any one but you. You have the courage, but whether, after all your exertions you have the strength, is another question."
"A quarter of an hour of warmth and some refreshment will bring back my strength. What is it?"
"A ride of life and death. To take some intelligence to R——— through the mountain pass just where the enemy lies."
"To the front!" cried Hartmut; "that's where—"
"General Falkenried is with his brigade. He is lost if the news does not reach him. We put the means of saving his life in the hands of his son!"
Hartmut grasped his friend's arm. He was all excitement and anxiety in an instant.