a significant nod, and followed.

"Going, Lacey?" said the colonel kindly.

"Yes, sir. I'm going to see and thank that brave lad."

"No, no; not to-night--I mean this morning," said the doctor. For the
grey light was stealing in, and making the tall, blackened figure of the
lieutenant look ghastly.

"Why not?"

"Because," said the doctor, "the poor fellow is in such a state that I
cannot answer for his life."

"Then I'll go and sit by him till he's better!" said the lieutenant,
resolutely.

The colonel followed him to the door, and laid his hand on the young
man's shoulder.

"Lacey, my boy," he half-whispered, "take the doctor's advice and mine--
you are not yourself now."

"He saved our lives, sir," said the young officer. "One can't do too
much for a man like that."

"No, my dear boy, one cannot; but you heard you are better away."

Lacey looked at him inquiringly.

"You'll oblige me by not going," said the colonel quickly, "and as much
by going to your room and letting Lester see to you a bit."

"You wish it, colonel?"

"I do, Lacey."

"Will you come up with me to my quarters, Lester?" said the young man,
quietly.

"Of course, my dear boy--of course," said the doctor, and they went out
together, to be closely followed by Jerry, who reached the staircase
first, and sprung up to light candles, though they were hardly necessary
then.

"Why, colonel, he was like a lamb with you," said the major. "Who'd
have thought it of Adonis!"

"Yes, he was like a lamb with me, and I always thought it of him," said
the colonel, quietly. "We all laugh at and chaff him, but I should not
like to be the man who had done him a wrong."

"Nor the fellow who had tried to bayonet him when his blood was up?"

"No," said the colonel quickly. "Now, gentlemen, bed for me. I don't
think this old town will ever forget our ball."

He nodded, and left the mess-room, to go across the yard.

"Why, that's not the way to his quarters," said one of the officers, as
he followed his chief with his eyes toward the shadowy building in which
a faint light or two could be seen burning.

"No," said another. "I know: he's gone across to the infirmary."

"Is Frayne there?"

"No," said the major, "he's at Lindon's quarters. Chief's gone to see
how little Smithson is. Let's--no, we'll drink his health after dinner
this evening. Gentlemen, I'm for bed, or the sun will be up first."

Ten minutes later the mess-room looked