The man was deeply moved and the tears sprang into his eyes. Armitage
laughed, holding him at arm's length.

"None of that nonsense! Sit down!" He turned to the door, opened it, and
peered into the hall, locked the door again, then motioned the man to a
chair.

"So you deserted your mother country, did you, and have borne arms for
the glorious republic?"

"I served in the Philippines,--yes?"

"Rank, titles, emoluments, Oscar?"

"I was a sergeant; and the surgeon could not find the bullet after Big
Bend, Luzon; so they were sorry and gave me a certificate and two dollars
a month to my pay," said the man, so succinctly and colorlessly that
Armitage laughed.

"Yon have done well, Oscar; honor me by accepting a cigar."

The man took a cigar from the box which Armitage extended, but would not
light it. He held it rather absent-mindedly in his hand and continued to
stare.

"You are not dead,--Mr.--Armitage; but your father--?"

"My father is dead, Oscar."