"His number. That is number four, you know." Dirkovitch spoke very
thickly.

"What has a Queen's officer to do with a qualified number?" said
the Colonel, and an unpleasant growl ran round the table.

"How can I tell?" said the affable Oriental with a sweet smile.
"He is a - how you have it? - escape - run-a-way, from over
there." He nodded towards the darkness of the night.

"Speak to him if he'll answer you, and speak to him gently," said
little Mildred, settling the man in a chair. It seemed most
improper to all present that Dirkovitch should sip brandy as he
talked in purring, spitting Russian to the creature who answered
so feebly and with such evident dread. But since Dirkovitch
appeared to understand, no one said a word. All breathed heavily,
leaning forward, in the long gaps of the conversation. The next
time that they have no engagements on hand the White Hussars
intend to go to St. Petersburg in a body to learn Russian.

"He does not know how many years ago," said Dirkovitch, facing the
mess, "but he says it was very long ago in a war. I think that
there was an accident. He says he was of this glorious and
distinguished regiment in the war."

"The rolls! The rolls! Holmer, get the rolls!" said little
Mildred, and the adjutant dashed off bare-headed to the orderly-
room, where the muster-rolls of the regiment were kept. He
returned just in time to hear Dirkovitch conclude, "Therefore, my
dear friends, I am most sorry to say there was an accident which