He was coming from the direction of Buell, where it is likely that he had gone to take a dispatch." "Did you find any answer upon him." "My men searched him carefully, sir, but found nothing." "He is in the uniform of a staff officer.

Have you found to what regiment in the Union army he belongs ?" "He is on the staff of Colonel Arthur Winchester, who commands one of the Kentucky regiments.

I have also to tell you, sir, that his name is Richard Mason, and that he is my nephew." "Ah," said General Johnston, "it is one of the misfortunes of civil war that so many of us fight against our own relatives.

For those who live in the border states yours is the common lot." But Dick was conscious that the six generals were gazing at him with renewed interest.
"Your surmise about his having been to Buell is no doubt correct," said Beauregard quickly and nervously.

"You left General Buell this morning, did you not, Mr.Mason ?" Dick remained silent.
"It is also true that Buell's army is worn down by his heavy march over muddy roads," continued Beauregard as if he had not noticed Dick's failure to reply.
Dick's teeth were shut firmly, and he compressed his lips.