"Why do you wish to meet him more than any other officer?"
"Because I met him once face to face, and he taunted me!"
"Did he know you, general?"
"No, he did not dream who I was."
"Where did you meet him?"
"It was at a farm-house, beyond Warsaw. I was there in disguise. This captain rode up and asked for a cup of water, and as I was standing at the well, I gave it to him. I asked the strength of the army, and he replied that they were much stronger than there was any occasion for. I asked him if he thought Price would not fight, and he replied that the rebel army might possibly be induced to meet us if they had a decent general, but with such a d—d cowardly old fool as Price for their leader, we should never catch them."
"Would you know him again if you should meet him?" asked Hayward, with apparent indifference.
"I do not think that I should. He had been riding during the whole of that day, and was so completely covered with dust that his features were not visible. But when one of my men returns, he will have his exact description. I instructed him to be particular about this officer."
"How did you ascertain who he was, at the time you met him?"
"While I was conversing with him, the adjutant rode up and handed him a letter. He opened it and threw the envelope on the ground. I picked it up, and thus learned who he was."