But he was too late; it was thrown open to the officer of the guard, who appeared, standing on the threshold.
"Two Confederate officers arrested hovering around our pickets.

They demand to see you." Before Brant could interpose, two men in riding cloaks of Confederate gray stepped into the room with a jaunty and self-confident air.
"Not DEMAND, general," said the foremost, a tall, distinguished-looking man, lifting his hand with a graceful deprecating air.

"In fact, too sorry to bother you with an affair of no importance except to ourselves.
A bit of after-dinner bravado brought us in contact with your pickets, and, of course, we had to take the consequences.

Served us right, and we were lucky not to have got a bullet through us.

Gad! I'm afraid my men would have been less discreet! I am Colonel Lagrange, of the 5th Tennessee; my young friend here is Captain Faulkner, of the 1st Kentucky.