Chapter Twelve—A Delicate Search
I was aroused early the next morning by Marcel, who stood at my bedside shaking me vigorously.
"Get up, Bob," he said, "there is work for you to do."
He was dressed already, and regarding me curiously, his gaze containing a faint suggestion of humor.
"What is it?" I asked, sitting up and rubbing my eyes sleepily.
"Your particular friend, Mr. Waters, is here with orders," he replied, stepping to the door and giving a signal.
The big, red-headed orderly entered and handed me a letter, gazing the while respectfully at the wall, although I was sure that in his inmost heart he suspected us and enjoyed our danger. I took the paper and held it a moment between thumb and finger, fearing to read its contents, but in a moment I dismissed my alarm as unworthy of a man and broke the seal.
Lieutenant Melville is ordered to take a file of men at once and search the house of John Desmond for one Alloway, an American soldier who escaped from the prison last night and is believed to have hidden himself there. The search is to be conducted with all the courtesy consistent with thoroughness.
Howe, Commander-in-chief.