"I came down on the 'Commodore,' General McClellan's boat, three days ago," he answered, "was set across the river there, procured a horse from a friend, and here I am."
"Do you know anything of McClellan's plans for an advance?" asked the General.
"I can tell you nothing about them," answered Curtis, "as everything is kept secret from even his own staff, I am told."
The General mused, thoughtfully, a moment, and then said: "I will give you a pass to Richmond, and you can proceed on your way in the morning."
"Thank you, General," exclaimed the detective, "I assure you the cause shall suffer no loss by any efforts of mine. I shall, in all probability, return by this way, in a few weeks at farthest, when, if I can be of any service to you, you have only to command me."
"By the way," said the General, "I have some letters to parties in Richmond, which ought to go at once. If you will do me the favor to deliver them I shall be obliged to you."
"I shall be happy to serve you, General, and will take pleasure in seeing that your letters reach their destination all right."
"Very well, then; call at my quarters in the morning, before you start, and I will have them ready for you, and will give you also your pass to Richmond."
Curtis thanked him again, and, bidding him good-night, repaired to the hotel, and secured for himself and horse supper and lodging for the night.
After he had partaken of a hearty meal, and provided himself with an excellent cigar, he sauntered out on to the veranda of the hotel, and, taking a comfortable seat, prepared to enjoy his fragrant weed, and amuse himself with listening to the conversation of those around him.
He soon discovered that the war, and the prospects for a speedy victory for the South, were the subjects under discussion, and he listened with much interest to the ideas advanced, and the confidence that marked their assertions of the superiority of the Southern troops over the Northern mudsills, as they termed the Federalists.
"You may depend on it, that General Johnson will not permit the Yanks to approach any closer to Richmond than they now are, without contesting every inch of the ground as they advance," remarked one gentleman of the party near which he was sitting.