sic sounds very soft
and attractive in the silence of the night."

"To be sure--so it does!"

"And if the lady cares for you, she is certain to be pleased."

"Yes, Smithson; but I don't know that she does. Now let's rest for a
few minutes. It's so awkward for that fellow to have upset me just
before I had my music lesson. I wish I knew of a good man; I'd give
anything for him."

The Friday night came, and at a time appointed Dick crossed the barrack
yard, to find it soft, delicious, and summer-like, starry but dark, and
with a feeling in the air which accorded well with the mission they were
on.

On reaching the lieutenant's room, he found him impatiently walking up
and down, smoking a cigarette--the ends of half a dozen more lying on
the fire-grate ornament.

"Come--come, Smithson! you are late," cried the young officer
impatiently. "It will be so vexatious to find nobody stirring. People
do go to sleep when they are in bed."

"Generally, sir. But you said half-past ten, to be the time."

"Yes; and for you to be here by ten."

"Exactly, sir; but I thought I would get here half an hour sooner, in
case you liked to try through the piece before we started."

"Eh? What time is it, then?"

"Just about to chime half-past nine, sir."

Dick had hardly uttered the words before the barrack clock chimed twice.

"Surely that's not half-past ten," cried the lieutenant excitedly, as he
snatched out his watch. "Dear me, no! I'm an hour out in my
calculations. Yes; let's try over the piece."

The flutes were produced, and the duet was whispered through, as it
were; and at the end Dick applauded softly.

"Yes, that's very kind of you," said Lacey; "but I don't feel satisfied.
By the way, Smithson, you must not go like that. Your red jacket will
be so conspicuous."

"What can I do, sir?"

"Would you mind wearing one of my light overcoats, Smithson? It will be
rather large for you, but so effectual in hiding your military
character."

"I shall not mind it," said Dick, though he could not help wincing a
little at the idea; and soon after, with his scarlet jacket hidden by
the lieutenant's long, loose garment, which also well concealed the
musical instruments, they walked together through the gates.

Fifty yards farther on, Dick felt his shoulder suddenly seized, and he
was thrust through a swing-door into the gas-lit glare of a public-house
bar.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

BENEATH THE LADY'S LATTICE-PANE