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 me with a laugh. "It's absurd, but he's right." His manner enraged me. He was trying all he dared to play into the man's hands.

"I am only obeying orders," said the sergeant; and for a moment it seemed as if between them I should be fooled. But I knew well enough what short work my prisoner would have made of such an interruption under other circumstances.

"Do you tell me you don't know that this is General Kolfort?" I asked very sternly.

"I am not here to study faces, sir, but to examine permits," was the blunt blockhead's answer.

"You can at least read, then? And I presume you know the General's handwriting. You shall have an order signed by the General, and one which will need no countersign to ensure its being obeyed. What's your name and regiment? Quick!" I said in a short tone of command.

"Max Pullschoff, sergeant, 3rd Regiment, 2nd Army Corps," he answered saluting.

"Now, General, order him to allow us to proceed at once at his peril. This fooling has gone far enough," and I enforced my words with a look of menace, while I pressed the revolver hard against his ribs, and added in a whisper, "Instantly!"

He hesitated just one instant, trying to nerve himself to defy me, but it was only for the instant.

"I am General Kolfort, and I order you at your peril to delay me no longer."

"I am very sorry, sir, but my orders are absolute. I can't do it."

"Write an order to Captain Berschoff that the rascal has mutinied against your authority, General, and that instantly on his return to quarters he is to be imprisoned