He was lolling back in his chair, with a half-finished decanter on the table beside him.
"Well, my young sir, what is this 'important business'?"
"Merely a request, your Excellency, that I may be detailed to obtain information of the movements of the American forces. I have an opportunity to penetrate into their lines with the best chance of my commission being undiscovered. I think I can obtain important news.
"Your request is granted. And when would you leave?" spoke up the General, lazily.
"To-night, at eleven o'clock," was the reply William made, remembering that that was the time the strange tall man had mentioned.