brief, my father was a Russian, my mother was a Frenchwoman, and I was
born on board a merchantman during a gale of wind in the Baltic."

"Then I should call you a true cosmopolitan--a genuine citizen of the
world," remarked Ducie, who was amused with his new friend's frankness.

"In ideas I strive to be such, but it is difficult at all times to
overcome the prejudices of education and early training," answered
Platzoff. "You, sir, are, I presume, in the army?"

"Formerly I was in the army, but I sold out nearly a dozen years ago,"
answered Ducie, drily. "Does this fellow expect me to imitate his
candour?" thought the Captain. "Would he like to know all about my
grandfather and grandmother, and that I have a cousin who is an earl? If
so, I am afraid he will be disappointed."

"Did you see much service while you were in the army?" asked Platzoff.

"I saw a good deal of hard fighting in the East, although not on any
large scale." Ducie was beginning to get restive. He was not the sort of
man to quietly allow himself to be catechised by a stranger.

"I, too, know something of the East," said Platzoff. "Three of the
happiest years of my life were spent in India. While out there I became
acquainted with several gentlemen of your profession. With Colonel
Leslie I was particularly intimate. I had been stopping with the poor
fellow only a few days before that gallant affair at Ruckapore, in which
he came by his death."

"I remember the affair you speak of," said Ducie. "I was in one of the