The first orderly returned, followed closely by the second.  They reported to an aide, who then spoke in a low voice to General Meade.  Soon I saw Dr. Khayme approaching.

The Doctor looked as ever.  I said hurriedly to General Meade, “General, I beg that you let me see Dr. Khayme alone; let me go to meet him, if but a few yards.”

The general looked at his aide, then shook his head.

I cried out:  “Doctor, hold your peace!  Say nothing but yes or no!”

General Meade and all his staff looked at me with anger.

The Doctor had come up.  He said not a word.

Intense gravity was all over him.

General Meade said, “Doctor, do you know this man?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Who is he?”

The Doctor smiled very faintly, then became serious again, and shook his head; “I obey orders, General,” he said.

“Then reply,” said the general.

“I am commanded to say yes or no,” said the Doctor.  “I suppose, however, there is no objection?” looking at me.  I inclined my head.  Etiquette could no longer restrain the staff.  We were all in a huddle.

“He is Jones Berwick,” said Dr. Khayme.

“Do you vouch for him?”

“Yes, General.”

“He brings information of great import, if true; there is immense danger in accepting it, if false.”

“I will answer for him with my life, General.”

“But may he not be deceived?  May you not be deceived in him?  And he will tell nothing except what he wishes to tell!”

“General, let me say a few words to him and to you.”

“All right.”  He made a movement, and his staff dispersed—­very reluctantly, no doubt, but quickly enough.

“Now, Jones, my dear boy,” said the Doctor, “I think you may confide in the general.  You see, General, there is a private matter in which my friend here is greatly interested, and which he does not want everybody to hear.”

“He may rely on my confidence in matters personal—­and if he is bringing me the truth, he may rely on my protection,” said the general; “now speak up and convince me, and be quick.”

“General,” I said, “I went into the rebel army as a Union spy.  I am a regularly enlisted man in the Eleventh Massachusetts.”

Dr. Khayme said, “That is true, General.”

“Then,” roared the general, “then why the hell did you take so long to tell it?”

He dashed off from us.  He called his aides.  He began sending despatches like the woods afire.

XL

CONCLUSION

     “And all that was death
     Grows life, grows love,
     Grows love.”—­BROWNING.

The Doctor held my hand.

Couriers and aides had gone flying in every direction.  A hubbub rose; clouds of dust were in the west and north and east and south—­everywhere.  The Army of the Potomac was retreating.