or.

"Men of the Nth Blankshires," said the Colonel, addressing them, "a
document of enormous importance has been stolen from this room. Unless
that document is recovered the fair name of the Regiment will be
irretrievably tarnished."

"Never!" cried a Corporal of the Signalling Section, and there was a deep
murmur of applause.

"May I suggest, sir," said the Major, "that the pockets of all should be
searched? I myself am quite ready to set the example," and as he spoke
he drew out three receipted bills and a price list of tomatoes, and
placed them before the Colonel.

One by one they followed his example.

Suddenly all eyes were fixed on Second-Lieutenant Lord Smith, as
with horror and amazement upon his face he drew from his pocket the
official-looking envelope.

"I swear I never put it there, sir," he gasped.

"Perhaps I ought to tell you, sir," said the Major, "that I asked Lord
Smith to keep an eye upon the document during my absence. No doubt he
placed it in his pocket for safety."

Several men applauded this suggestion, for Lord Smith was a general
favourite.

The Colonel gave one glance at the envelope, and then, with fire flashing
from his eyes, held it up for all to see.

"How do you account for _this_?" he cried in a voice of thunder, and with
a gasp of horror they read the fatal words:

FOR HINDENBURG,
GERMANY

The Colonel and the other officers drew their swords, the rank and file
fixed bayonets; they hacked the buttons off Lord Smith's tunic, they dug
the stars out of his sleeves, they tore the regimental badge from his
cap; they tore his collar, they tore his tie, they took his gold
cigarette-case; and still he stood there, saying proudly, "I am
innocent."

"Go!" said the Colonel, pointing with his sword to the door.

Suddenly there was a commotion outside and a breathless figure pushed its
way into the room.

"Father," cried Rosamund Blowhard, "spare him. He is innocent."

"Rosamund," said George, for so we must call him now, "I am innocent.
Some day the truth will be known." Then he took a tender farewell of her
and, casting a glance of mingled suspicion and hatred at the Major, he
strode from the room.

II

The patient in the Xth bed at the Yth Base Hospital stirred restlessly.

"Water," he murmured, "water."

A soft-footed nurse rose and poured some over him. "Rosamund," he
breathed, and with a smile of content dropped peacefully asleep again.

Who was he, this mysterio