of manner reasserted
itself.

"After you, captain," he said.

XIII.

Once within-doors, it was too dark for Armitage to see the features of
his lieutenant; and he had his own reasons for desiring to read them.
Mr. Jerrold, on the other hand, seemed disposed to keep in the shadows
as much as possible. He made no movement to open the shutters of the one
window which admitted light from the front, and walked back to his
bedroom door, glanced in there as though to see that there were no
occupants, then carefully closed it as he returned to face his captain.
He took off his helmet and placed it on the centre-table, then,
thrusting his thumbs inside the handsome, gold-broidered sword-belt,
stood in a jaunty attitude but with a very uneasy look in his eyes to
hear what his senior might have to say. Between the two men an
invitation to sit would have been a superfluity. Neither had ever
remained long enough in the other's quarters, since the exchange of the
first calls when Jerrold came to the garrison, to render a chair at all
necessary.

"Be good enough to strike a light, Mr. Jerrold," said Armitage,
presently, seeing that his unwilling host made no effort on his own
account.

"I proposed going out at once, captain, and presume you cannot have any
very extended remarks to make."

"You cannot see the writing I have to call your attention to without a
light. I shall detain you no longer than is necessary. Had you an
engagement?"

"Nothing of great consequence. I presume it will keep."

"It will have to. The matter I have come upon will admit no further
delay. Light your lamp, if you please."

And Jerrold did so, slowly and with much reluctance. He wiped his
forehead vigorously the instant the flame began to splutter, but as the
clear, steady light of the argand gradually spread over the little room
Armitage could see the sweat again beading his forehead, and the dark
eyes were glancing nervously about, and the hands that were so firm and
steady and fine the year before and held the Springfield in so light yet
immovable an aim were twitching now. It was no wonder Jerrold's score
had dropped some thirty per cent. His nerve had gone to pieces.

Armitage stood and watched him a moment. Then he slowly spoke:

"I have no desire to allude to the subject of your conversation with
Merrick. It was to put an end to such a thing--not to avail myself of
any information it might give--that I hurried in. We will put tha