It looked queer.

Officers and civilians were passing back and forth but no one paid any attention to me; so after an hour or so I asked an officer who entered from an inner room, when I could see the general.

He said the general was not there evenings but would be in his office to-morrow morning.

Then I showed him my order and he glanced at it and said it was forged; wasn't the general's signature and wasn't in proper form, anyhow.

When I started to go he wouldn't let me; said the affair was suspicious and needed investigation.