expect me any hour. On the other hand, you may not see me at all. We'll
consider that our agreement lasts until the first snow flies next winter.
You are a soldier. There need be no further discussion of this matter,
Oscar."

The man nodded gravely.

"And it is well for you not to reappear in this hotel. If you should be
questioned on leaving here--"

"I have not been, here--is it not?"

"It is," replied Armitage, smiling. "You read and write English?"

"Yes; one must, to serve in the army."

"If you should see a big Servian with a neck like a bull and a head the
size of a pea, who speaks very bad German, you will do well to keep out
of his way,--unless you find a good place to tie him up. I advise you not
to commit murder without special orders,--do you understand?"

"It is the custom of the country," assented Oscar, in a tone of deep
regret.

"To be sure," laughed Armitage; "and now I am going to give you money
enough to carry out the project I have indicated."

He took from his trunk a long bill-book, counted out twenty new
one-hundred-dollar bills and threw them on the table.