In the misty light inside the tent, the young officer looked hardly more than seventeen years old as he stood listening.  His small figure was light, fragile; his hair was blond to an extreme, a thick thatch of pale gold; and there was about him, among these tanned, stalwart men in uniform, a presence, an effect of something unusual, a simplicity out of place yet harmonious, which might have come with a little child into a scene like this.  His large blue eyes were fixed on the Colonel as he talked, and in them was just such a look of innocent, pleased wonder, as might be in a child’s eyes, who had been told to leave studying and go pick violets.  But as the Colonel ended he spoke, and the few words he said, the few questions he asked, were full of poise, of crisp directness.  As the General volunteered a word or two, he turned to him and answered with a very charming deference, a respect that was yet full of gracious ease, the unconscious air of a man to whom generals are first as men, and then as generals.  The slight figure in its dark uniform was already beyond the tent doorway when the Colonel spoke again, with a shade of hesitation in his manner.

“Mr. Morgan!” and the young officer turned quickly.  “I think it may be right to warn you that there is likely to be more than usual danger in your ride.”

“Yes, sir.”  The fresh, young voice had a note of inquiry.

“You will—­you will”—­what was it the Colonel wanted to say?  He finished abruptly.  “Choose the man carefully who goes with you.”

“Thank you, Colonel,” Morgan responded heartily, but with a hint of bewilderment.  “I shall take Sergeant O’Hara,” and he was gone.

There was a touch of color in the Colonel’s face, and he sighed as if glad to have it over.  The General watched him, and slowly, after a pause, he demanded: 

“May I ask, Colonel, why you chose that blond baby to send on a mission of uncommon danger and importance?”

The Colonel answered quietly:  “There were several reasons, General—­good ones.  The blond baby”—­that ghost of a smile touched the Colonel’s lips again—­“the blond baby has some remarkable qualities.  He never loses his head; he has uncommon invention and facility of getting out of bad holes; he rides light and so can make a horse last longer than most, and”—­the Colonel considered a moment—­“I may say he has no fear of death.  Even among my officers he is known for the quality of his courage.  There is one more reason:  he is the most popular man I have, both with officers and men; if anything happened to Morgan the whole command would race into hell after the devils that did it, before they would miss their revenge.”

The General reflected, pulling at his mustache.  “It seems a bit like taking advantage of his popularity,” he said.

“It is,” the Colonel threw back quickly.  “It’s just that.  But that’s what one must do—­a commanding officer—­isn’t it so, General?  In this war music we play on human instruments, and if a big chord comes out stronger for the silence of a note, the note must be silenced—­that’s all.  It’s cruel, but it’s fighting; it’s the game.”