g his hands.
"Ah! Mr Drummond, I think? Met you last night. Glad to know you.
Come, all of you, and have a look at my hospital quarters. Splendid
place for the lads. Light, airy, and cool. They can't help getting
well."

"But I thought you had no patients, sir," said Drummond.

"Oh yes, two that we brought with us; and if Colonel Wrayford is
willing, I propose that your wounded should be brought across, for it's
a far better place than where they are. Come on, and I'll show you."

"Thanks, Doctor; I'm just going to see the Colonel," said Roberts.

"That's a pity. You must come without him, then, Bracy."

"I really can't, Doctor; not now. I am going with Roberts."

"Humph! that's unfortunate. Mr Drummond would like to see, perhaps,
how we arrange for our men who are down?"

"Most happy, Doctor--"

"Hah!"

"But I am going with my friends here."

"Standing on ceremony--eh, gentlemen?" said the Doctor, smiling quickly
and taking a pinch of snuff. "Well, we'll wait a bit. I dare say you
will neither of you be so much occupied when you are once brought in to
me. I thought perhaps you would like to go over the place first."

Bracy turned and took hold of the Doctor's arm.

"All right, Doctor," he said, laughing. "You had us there on the hip.
I'll come."

"What, and keep the Colonel waiting?"

"We can go there afterwards," said Bracy quietly. "Come, Roberts, you
can't hold back now."

"Not going to, old fellow. There, Doctor, I beg your pardon. I'll
come."

"Granted, my dear boy," said the Doctor quietly. "There, Mr Drummond,
you'll have to go alone."

"Not I," said the subaltern, smiling. "I'll come and take my dose with
them."

"Good boy!" said the Doctor, smiling.

"I suppose you have not had your two patients taken to the hospital
yet?" said Bracy.

"Then you supposed wrongly, sir. There they are, and as comfortable as
can be."

"That's capital," cried Bracy, "for I wanted to come and see that poor
fellow Gedge."

"That fits," said the Doctor, "for he was asking if you were likely to
come to the hospital; but I told him no, for you would be on duty. This
way, gentlemen, to my drawing-room, where I am at home night and day,
ready to receive my visitors. Now, which of you, I wonder, will be the
first to give me a call?"

"Look here, Doctor," said Roberts, "if you're going to keep on in this
strain I'm off."

"No, no; don't go. You must see the place. I've a long room,