counsel. He was weary of delay and planning an appeal to the
French government. General Brown was prepared to give the matter
all furtherance in his power, and sent quickly for the Englishman.
They brought him over at nine o'clock. We uncovered his eyes and
locked the door, and "gave him a crack at the old Madeira," as they
used to say, and made him as comfortable as might be at the cheery
fireside of the general.

"I've been thinking," said his Lordship. after a drink and a word
of courtesy. I never saw a man of better breeding or more courage,
I am free to say. "You may not agree it is possible, but, anyhow,
I have been trying to think. You have been decent to me. I don't
believe you are such a bad lot, after all; and while I should be
sorry to have you think me tired of your hospitality, I desire to
hasten our plans a little. I propose an exchange of--of--"

He hesitated, whipping the ashes off his cigar.

"Well--first of confidence," he went on. "I will take your word if
you will take mine."

"In what matter?" the general inquired.

"That of the ladies and their relief," said he. "A little
confidence will--will--"

"Grease the wheels of progress?" the general suggested, smiling.

"Quite so," he answered lazily. "To begin with, they are not
thirty miles away, if I am correct in my judgment of this locality."