"Captain Thockmorton just informed me."

"But you received no mail?"

"No, sir; or, rather, I have not been at the office to inquire. Was
there mail for me?"

"That I do not know; only I have received a communication relating to
you. It seems you have an application pending for a furlough."

"Yes, sir."

"It is my pleasure to inform you that it has been granted--sixty days,
with permission to proceed east. There has been considerable delay
evidently in locating you."

A sudden vision arose before me of my mother's face and of the old home
among the hills as I took the paper from his extended hands and glanced
at the printed and written lines.

"The date is a month ago."

"That need not trouble you, Knox. The furlough begins with this
delivery. However, as I shall require your services as far as St.
Louis, I shall date its acceptance from the time of your arrival there."

"Which is very kind, sir."

"Not at all. You have proven of considerable assistance here, and I