windows, I settled down with the intention of sticking to my post until
I had a chance of speaking to one or other of the inmates. Indeed, the
cold, dead aspect of the house had struck such a chill into my heart
that I determined to scale the fence at whatever risk of incurring
the general's displeasure rather than return without news of the
Heatherstones.

Happily there was no need of this extreme expedient, for I had not been
there half-an-hour before I heard the harsh sound of an opening lock,
and the general himself emerged from the main door.

To my surprise he was dressed in a military uniform, and that not the
uniform in ordinary use in the British Army. The red coat was strangely
cut and stained with the weather. The trousers had originally been
white, but had now faded to a dirty yellow. With a red sash across his
chest and a straight sword hanging from his side, he stood the living
example of a bygone type--the John Company's officer of forty years ago.

He was followed by the ex-tramp, Corporal Rufus Smith, now well-clad and
prosperous, who limped along beside his master, the two pacing up and
down the lawn absorbed in conversation. I observed that from time to
time one or other of them would pause and glance furtively all about
them, as though guarding keenly against a surprise. I should have
preferred communicating with the general alone, but since there was no
dissociating him from his companion, I beat loudly on the fencing with
my stick to attract their attention. They both faced round in a moment,
and I could see from their gestures that they were disturbed and
alarmed.

I then elevated my stick above the barrier to show them where the sound
proceeded from. At this the general began to walk in my direction with
the air of a man who is bracing himself up for an effort, but the other
caught him by the wrist and endeavoured to dissuade him.

It was only when I shouted out my name and assured them that I was alone
that I could prevail upon them to approach. Once assured of my identity
the general ran eagerly towards me and greeted me with the utmost
cordiality.

"This is truly kind of you, West," he said. "It is only at such times
as these that one can judge who is a friend and who not. It would not be
fair to you to ask you to come inside or to stay any time, but I am none
the less very glad to see you."

"I have been anxious about you all," I said, "for it is some little
time since I have seen or