e he was struck down by one of a gang of French camp-followers came
back to him with terrible vividness.

The banquet was nearly at an end when this scene took place and after
warm congratulations from the visitors, they had the good taste to hurry
away, and the band was dismissed, the Colonel only stopping with the boy
to help him relate how he was retained in the regiment.

He heard in return an explanation from Mr Trevor, who told how it was
that the burned house was their country villa among the mountains, where
in ignorance of danger being near, the boy was left with the servants
for a few hours, the father and mother returning to find only smoking
ruins and the traces of a horrible massacre having taken place. So
convinced were they that their son had perished in the fire with the
servants that no search was made, and the Trevors fled, glad to escape
with their lives, Mr Trevor having a hard task to restore his wife to
reason after the terrible shock.

To them their child was dead, and they had felt that they would never
thoroughly recover from the dreadful blow.

"But you see, Colonel, one never knows what is in store, and it is not
right to despair. Now, how can we thank you enough for all that you
have done?"

"I don't want thanks," said the Colonel. "I ought to thank you for all
that he so bravely did for me; and besides, Dick, boy, there was someone
else who--"

He stopped, for a servant entered the room.

"I beg pardon, sir, but there's a woman and a soldier outside. I told
them you were engaged, but the woman said she would see you."

"A woman and a soldier?" cried Mr Trevor--"will see me?"

"I know," cried Dick excitedly, "it's mother and father--I mean--I--"

He too stopped short, and looked from one to the other. "I mean," he
cried bravely, "my other father and mother, who saved me and brought me
back to life."

"Where is he?" cried an angry voice in the hall. "I will see him.
Dick, my darling Dick!"

Mrs Trevor turned white, and a pang shot through her, as she saw her
newly-recovered son rush to the door, throw it open and call out
loudly:--"Here I am, mother: this way."

"Oh, my darling!" cried Mrs Corporal: "I've just heard--Oh, what does
it mean? I--I beg your pardon, my lady, and you too, sir, and Colonel,
but--but they've been telling me--"

"Yes, it's all true," cried Dick, interrupting her. "Mother dear, this
is my other mother, and father dear, this is Corporal Joe."