Fortunately Peterborough was well informed by the country people of everything that was passing, for in every town and village there were men or women who sent him news of all that was going on in their neighborhood.
It was but a week after they entered Valencia that the earl, happening to pass close by Jack Stilwell at a brilliant ball, paused for a moment and said: "Get away from this in half an hour, find Graham, and bring him with you to my quarters.

Before you go find Colonel Zinzendorf and tell him to have two hundred men ready to mount at half past one.

He is here somewhere.

If you find he has left you must go round to the barracks.
Tell him the matter is to be kept an absolute secret.

I know," the earl said gallantly to the lady on his arm and to Jack's partner, "we can trust you two ladies to say nothing of what you have heard.