indeed, that he had but just completed them when the shriek of the
engine announced that the train was coming; the minute after, the long
line dashed into the station and came to a stand.

CHAPTER XLIV. THE MESSENGER'S FIRST JOURNEY

As the train glided smoothly into the station, M'Caskey passed down the
platform, peering into each carriage as if in search of an unexpected
friend. "Not come," muttered he, in a voice of displeasure, loud enough
to be heard by the solitary first-class passenger, who soon after
emerged with some enormous bags of white linen massively sealed, and
bearing addresses in parchment.

"I beg pardon," said M'Caskey, approaching and touching his hat in
salute. "Are you with despatches?"

"Yes," said the other, in some astonishment at the question.

"Have you a bag for _me?_" and then suddenly correcting himself with a
little smile at the error of his supposing he must be universally known,
added, "I mean for the Hon. Colonel Chamberlayne."

"I have nothing that is not addressed to a legation," said the other,
trying to pass on.

"Strange! they said I should receive some further instructions by the
first messenger. Sorry to have detained you,--good-evening."

The young man--for he was young--was already too deep in an attempt
to inquire in French after a carriage, to hear the last words, and
continued to ask various inattentive bystanders certain questions about
a _caleche_ that ought to have been left by somebody in somebody's care
for the use of somebody else.

"Is it true, can you tell me?" said he, running after M'Caskey. "They
say that there is no conveyance here over the mountain except the
diligence."

"I believe it is quite true," said the "Colonel," gravely.

"And they say, too, that the diligence never, at this season, arrives in
time to catch the early train at--I forget the place."

"At Susa?"

"Yes, that's it."

"They are perfectly correct in all that; and knowing it so well, and
as my despatches are urgent, I sent on my own light carriage here from
Geneva."

"And have you despatches too?" asked the other, whom we may as well
announce to the reader as Tony Butler. "Have you despatches too?" cried
he, in great delight at meeting something like a colleague.

"Yes; I take out orders for the Lord High Commissioner to Corfu. I am
the head of the Staff there."

Tony bowed in recognition of the announced rank, and said quietly: "My
name is Butler. I am rather new to t