our ago and saw her, and--oh, Smithson!--she smiled. What is
to be done?"

Dick was silent for a minute, not knowing how to answer the question;
then a way out of the difficulty came.

"I'll tell you, sir! You must discharge that fellow."

"I did, Smithson--at once. I was in such a rage that I kicked him; and
I fear that there will be some trouble about that, if he reports it to
his superior officer."

"Pooh! Give him half a sovereign, sir, and you'll hear no more about
it."

"That's very good advice, Smithson. I wish I had your head."

"You want a good, clever, smart servant, sir," said Dick, who was
breathless with excitement consequent upon his new idea.

"Yes, Smithson; but such a treasure seems to be unobtainable."

"I don't know--I think I could find you such a man, sir."

"You could! Oh, no; I want a regular valet, Smithson. I have grown
sadly indolent, and I often wish a war would break out to rouse me up."

"This is a regular valet, sir."

"But--really, Smithson, I'm afraid I'm very lazy--can he shave?"

"Oh, yes, sir, and cut hair admirably."

"Indeed? A friend of yours?"

"Well, sir, not exactly; I used to know him."

"Whose company is he in?"

"Unfortunately, sir, he is not in this regiment."

"Smithson! how can you?" cried the lieutenant in lachrymose tones.
"What is the use of raising my hopes to dash them down? Is he a man of
bad character who wants to join?"

"No, sir; he is a soldier already; but he is in the 310th, sir--the
regiment we `played in' the other day."

"In the 310th?" said the lieutenant, thoughtfully.

"And, of course, not available, sir."

"Is he anyone else's servant?"

"He is simply a private, sir."

"Then--I don't know, though. Perhaps I might--or I could--I--how
tiresome!"

For at that moment Dick sprang from his seat, as he heard steps outside.

"You at home, Lacey?" cried a voice.

"Yes: come in."

As the door opened, the lieutenant said excitedly--

"What is this man's name?"

"Jeremiah Brigley, sir;" and the young officer carefully put down the
name before Dick retreated and took his leave, the new arrival saying:

"Here, Smithson, I shall want you to give me some lessons, too."

The next minute Dick was crossing the barrack yard to reach his
quarters, wondering whether it would be possible for Jerry to be
exchanged, and meeting the bandmaster, who said rather gruffly--

"Where have you been, sir?"

"To Mr Lacey's, sir."

"Ha!