“What means this intrusion?” he asked starting up.
“Nothing—noth-ing—no-thing—not much. Thought I must see you.”
“Orderly Knox——”
The strange visitor stopped him with a wave of the hand.
“Don’t trouble yourself, general, I’m Old Fatality and I thought——”
General Johnston repeated the name in a husky tone.
“Yes; I am Old Fatality,” the other went on, unheeding the commander’s discomfiture; “and though my errand is not a pleasant one it is none the less——”
“Orderly Knox——”
“Stop, general! three ain’t company!”
One of the general’s aides entered the tent.