"That's the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac—see, it's marked! Now, this man's from that locality."
"H—m! Dark as Erebus, apparently, along the South Branch!"
"Just so." General Banks paced again the roses. "Pshaw! It's all right. I never saw a straighter looking fellow. I just thought I would ask you the nature of his talk along the road—"
"It was hardly of military matters, sir. But if you wish to detain him—"
"General Kelly must have my letter. I'm not to move, and it's important that he should know it."
"Why not question him again?"
The general came back to the big chair beside the table. "I have no doubt he's as honest as I am." He looked at the clock. "After midnight!—and I've been reviewing troops all day. Do you think it's worth while, captain?"
"In war very little things are worth while, sir."
"But you were with him all afternoon, and he seemed perfectly all right—"
"Yes, sir, I liked him very well." He pulled at his long yellow moustache. "There was only one little circumstance.... If you are doubtful, sir—The papers, of course, might be forged."