The Baron's face had gone dark, as much in anger at his son, as with the
upstart cavalry captain. He began to growl ominously, "Captain Mauser,
rejoin your command and obey your orders."
Joe Mauser's facial expression indicated that he had expected this. He
kept his voice level however, even under the chuckling scorn of his
immediate superior, Balt Haer.
He said, "Sir, I will be able to tell you where Marshal Cogswell is, and
every troop at his command."
For a moment there was silence, all but a stunned silence. Then the
major who had suggested the Saugerties field command headquarters were a
fake, blurted a curt laugh.
"This is no time for levity, captain," Balt Haer clipped. "Get to your
command."
A colonel said, "Just a moment, sir. I've fought with Joe Mauser before.
He's a good man."
"Not that good," someone else huffed. "Does he claim to be clairvoyant?"
Joe Mauser said flatly. "Have a semaphore man posted here this
afternoon. I'll be back at that time." He spun on his heel and left
them.
Balt Haer rushed to the door after him, shouting, "Captain! That's an
order! Return--"
But the other was obviously gone. Enraged, the younger Haer began to
shrill commands to a noncom in the way of organizing a pursuit.
His father called wearily, "That's enough, Balt. Mauser has evidently
taken leave of his senses. We made the initial mistake of encouraging
this idea he had, or thought he had."
"_We?_" his son snapped in return. "I had nothing to do with it."
"All right, all right. Let's tighten up, here. Now, what other
information have your scouts come up with?"