“Now give me your opinion of that, please, gentlemen.”
“There is but one opinion to give, sir.”
“So I say,” added Major Lester.
“Now, gentlemen, a courier just brought this official paper, and I have received with it a personal letter from the general. Please do me the kindness to read the official document, and I will read to you extracts from the general’s letter.”
This was done, and then the two junior officers sat gazing at their senior.
“What does it mean?” asked Colonel Dunwoody.
“I can see but one meaning to it,” the major said.
“And that meaning, major?”
“Is that the general was in ignorance of the governor’s requisition or——”
“But he could not be, when his other communication orders me to give up the prisoner.”