a quarter
past seven
Smoking was prohibited in the office , yet it was the major who seemed most embarrassed at the unexpected meeting . It was the major who hastily withdrew . He was traced to the railway , and it was speedily found that he had sent word to the division superintendent that the General had telegraphed for him to join him at once at Cheyenne , and a special engine and caboose would be needed . At a quarter past seven this had started full speed . It was eleven when the discovery was made . Meantime Folsom and Stevens had consulted together . Folsom had told of the large sum he had loaned Burleigh and the conditions attached , and between them a dispatch , concisely setting forth their suspicions , was sent the General at Cheyenne , with orders to `` rush , '' as they were determined if possible to head off the fugitive at that point .