195

XX. UNDER THE PINES 202

XXI. LOVE'S BEGGAR 210

XXII. IN LOVE WITH HONOUR 222

XXIII. HOW RALLYWOOD HAD HIS ORDERS 233

XXIV. ON THE FRONTIER 239

XXV. A QUESTION OF TWO MORALITIES 246

XXVI. LOVE'S HANDICAP 258

XXVII. THE MAN OF THE HOUR 267

XXVIII. THE ARREST 277

XXIX. THE COURT-MARTIAL 282

XXX. 'UPON THE GREAT WORLD'S ALTAR-STAIRS' 292

XXXI. DUKE GUSTAVE 300

XXXII. FOR A SEASON 307

A MODERN MERCENARY

CHAPTER I.

A LIEUTENANT OF FRONTIER CAVALRY.

During four months of the year the independent State of Maasau,' we will
call it--which is not very noticeable even on the largest sized map of
Europe--is tormented by a dry and weary north-east wind. And nowhere is
its influence more unpleasantly felt than in the capital, Revonde, which
stands shoulder-on to the hustling gales, its stately frontages and
noble quays stretching out westwards along the shores of the Kofn almost
to where the yellow waters of the river spread fan-wise into a
grey-green sea.

The _tsa_ was blowing strongly on a certain November afternoon, eddying
and whistling about the wide spaces of the Grand Square as John
Rallywood, a tall figure in a military cloak, turned the corner of a
side street and met its full blast. He faced it for some yards along the
empty pavements, then ran up the steps of his club. A few minutes later
he passed through a lofty corridor and entered a door over which is set
a quaint invitation to smokers, which may not be written down here, for
it is the jealously guarded copyright of the club.

It chanced that the room for the moment had but one occupant, who sat in
a roomy armchair by the white stove. This gentleman did not raise his
head, but continued to gaze thoughtfully at his well shaped though
square and comfortable boots.

Rallywood paused almost imperceptibly in his stride.

'Hullo, Major! Glad to see you,' he said, as he dropped into an armchair
opposite.

Major Counsellor stood up with his back to the stove, thereby giving a
view of a red, challenging face, heavy eyebrows, and a huge white droop
of moustach