sir."

"See that the refreshments are on a side-table."

"Yes, sir."

"And go down into the town and buy three or four packs of cards."

"Yes, sir."

Silence for a few moments, and then the lieutenant began again, just as
Jerry had come to the conclusion that he could name the guests expected,
one of whom was certain to be Mark Frayne.

"And he won't be very glad to see me here," thought Jerry, who started
at his master's next words.

"What have you done with your tongue?"

"Beg pardon, sir? Nothing, sir."

"Because you don't talk. Aren't you well?"

"Well, sir? No, sir; not quite, sir."

"Take some pills!" growled Lacey.

"Pills, sir? I 'ate pills!"

"More stupid you. Swallow them at once!"

"Beg pardon, sir?"

"I say, swallow them at once. Best way is to wrap them in
cigarette-paper."

"Beg pardon, sir! A mistake, sir. I said I 'ate pills."

"I heard you."

Jerry peered round a little into the lieutenant's face, to see if he
were trying to make a joke; but Lacey looked serious enough, and the man
went on, confidentially--

"Fact is, sir, I'm a bit upset."

"Look sharp and get right again. Don't you say you're too poorly to
wait on us to-night!"

"Oh, dear, no, sir! I shall attend upon you; but, the fact is, I'm in
trouble."

"Humph! And you want an advance upon your wages. How much?"

"No, sir," said Jerry, irritably, as he drove the bristles of one brush
among the bristles of the other; "it's not that sort of trouble. It's
about someone."

"Lady! Why, Brigley, you're not thinking of getting married?"

"Oh, no, sir! it's about--about a gent--I mean a man, sir. It's him as
you know, sir--Smithson."

"Dick Smithson!" cried the lieutenant. "What's the matter with him?"

"He ain't been the same, sir, since the night of the ball. He has
worried me a deal."

"Yes, he seems a good deal pulled down, poor fellow! But is he ill
again?"

"No, sir; he went out yesterday--had a pass--and--"

"And what? Don't hesitate like that, man!"

"He did not come back last night."

"Sorry to hear it," said the lieutenant. "Means trouble--punishment. I
liked Smithson."

"Yes, sir; everyone did."

"Perhaps he's taken ill, and had to stay somewhere."

Jerry was silent.

"You don't think he has bolted?"

Jerry made no answer, and the lieutenant swung round in his chair.

"Why, you do," he cried, excitedly. "Do you know that bolting means
desertion, sir?"

"Yes, sir," sa