e me, for I'm off
to-night to Carlsbad to drink rusty waters instead of port. Remember
me to your father and mother, if you meet them, and Miss Grace. By
the way, boy, you'll want some clothes and a sword. I've told Ferries
and Harquars to honour your cheques up to two hundred and fifty
pounds, so that you need not draw on your father. You don't deserve
it, because you have such a bad temper; but if ever you can get
promoted into the Horse Artillery, I'll buy you a horse. Mind and get
an Arab; they suit the country. I always rode one; but not in your
break-neck way. I tried to get them to let you have a commission in
the horse, but they wouldn't stand it. Said it was a feather in a
man's cap to get that; so look sharp and grow, and make yourself fit
to wear that feather. You'll get it if you deserve it. I'll see that
you do. My postscript is longer than my letter. So with compliments
to General Crucie, I am, etc."

I handed the letter to the general, who read it through and nodded.

"Hah! that's right," he said, handing it back. "Nothing like having an
uncle rich, and a director at the India House. You'll get into the
horse by-and-by. Let's see, what was your uncle?"

"An indigo-planter, sir."

"Hah! that means money, Vincent. Well, I shall not have to draw on your
father. So much the better. There, you had better begin making your
preparations at once, and if there is anything I can do in the way of
help or advice, come to me without scruple. Seems only the other day
that I was ordering my own kit, Vincent, previous to sailing for Bombay.
There, off with you. I'm sure you want to digest the news."

I did--badly, but I could not do it, for the news had already leaked
out, and there was Morton at the head of all the other fellows, ready to
raise a hearty cheer for the new officer about to depart from their
midst.

The cheering was followed by a chairing, and when at last I escaped, I
hurried off to my room with the whirl of confusion greater than ever, so
that I began to wonder whether it was not all a dream.

CHAPTER TWO.

I was horribly suspicious about that military tailor in Saint James's
Street. Over and over again I felt that he must be laughing at me, as
he passed his tape round my chest and waist.

But he was a pattern of smooth politeness, and as serious as a judge,
while I sought for little bits of encouragement, painfully conscious as
I was about