“Did you, by any chance, call here earlier in the evening?” he asked.
“I did, and left a note saying that I would return.”
The door was held open to its fullest extent.
“Come in.”
Ben Cooper entered the hall; the other then closed the door and led the way to an apartment where several candles burned in long silver candlesticks upon a writing table.
“I reached home only a short time ago,” said the gentleman, after they had become seated, “and was startled to find myself the cause of delay. The general’s dispatches are usually urgent.”
Ben took out a folded paper sealed in several places.
“You are Mr. Robert Morris?” he asked.
“I am,” replied the gentleman.
Upon receiving the paper he at once broke the seal, and drawing one of the candles nearer, proceeded to read. When he reached the end of the message, his lips were compressed and a troubled expression appeared in his eyes.