"Two of them, yes—a man called Peter, and an Irish fellow, with chin beard."
"What!" and Mortimer started forward. "Peter and Mike in uniform! This is beyond belief. Were they alone?"
"They were apparently under the orders of a young lieutenant—the same who had command of Delavan's advance guard. I was unable to distinguish the lad's face."
"Delavan's advance guard!" and the Colonel turned toward Grant. "What do you know about this, sir? Who was he?"
The Captain hesitated, shifting uneasily on his feet.
"I—I do not know, sir," he explained finally, driven to answer. "I merely had a glimpse of the boy when I first joined the column. I—I thought I recognized him, but was not sure."
"Who did you suppose him to be?"
"Your son, Eric, sir."