back with
you to the Ford block-house and keep him there until you receive orders
to bring him into Revonde. I especially charge you that no violence is
to be used, but he is not to be permitted to escape. The importance of
the duty which is entrusted to you cannot be too highly estimated.'

This then was what the Duke meant. Rallywood was to place himself
unreservedly at the disposal of M. Selpdorf. Yet the preamble troubled
him. It seemed to be assumed that he might be tempted to evade his
orders.

'I am to start at once, your Excellency?'

'In half an hour.' Selpdorf's face cleared, something of his former
geniality returned to him. 'To-night, Captain Rallywood, the Duke has
need of a man. There are others I might have sent whose claims are
greater than yours, but you are my nominee to the ranks of the Guard,
and I would justify my choice. His Highness also is inclined to favour
you.'

Selpdorf contemplated Rallywood kindly, as if prepared to be interested
in his answer. He was trying to draw something from the man, but
Rallywood only stood straighter and hugged his wooden silence closer.
Any reply he could make would give the advantage to Selpdorf. For the
present he himself held it. It is often so. The man who speaks ten words
has an advantage over the man who speaks a hundred.

'I thank your Excellency,' he replied.

'There is,' Selpdorf began again meditatively, as if permitting himself
the luxury of a little frankness before a trusted adherent, 'an end to
everything and a beginning. The line drawn between the new and the old
is never defined; the two overlap. We may regret the old, but since the
new is irresistible, the wise make the best of it.' He looked up with an
alert interest. 'In your own case, Captain Rallywood, you were not long
ago at the dividing line yourself; how has the new life treated you?'

'Well!' said Rallywood as if flinging back a challenge.

The Chancellor's round eyes met his.

'Ah, I thought it would be so! You were half inclined that night to let
fortune go by you. You must mount her, man, not lead her by the bridle.'

Then Rallywood broke silence.

'I doubt, your Excellency, if she will carry me where I want to go, in
spite of hard riding,' he said.

'That will depend upon yourself, I imagine. Good-day, Captain.'

CHAPTER XXIV.

ON THE FRONTIER.

The evening train was almost due.

Upon the rise of a bare and windy ridge Rallywood sat on horseback
waiting. M