noon Saturday
It would have been warrantable to say that the manner of both the General and his chief-of-staff had been too repellent to to invite calls , but he knew that , whatever the merits of the case , superior officers , like inferior papers , always have the last word . He might be only inviting reprimand . Without a word , therefore , he faced about , went straight to the telegraph office down the avenue and wired to Washington . `` Steamer sails noon Saturday . Not yet relieved . What instructions ? '' By that hour there would be no one in the office of the Chief of Engineers at Washington , but Loring addressed it direct to the home of the assistant , upon whose interest in the case he had reason to rely , and then returned at once to his desk .