"The regiment is not in favour with the cardinal," the boy replied
with a smile. "They are too Protestant for his eminence, and the
colonel is not a man to ask favours if he is likely to be refused."

"Well," the officer said, "it is clear to me that you are a lad of
spirit, and that you have done your best to prepare yourself for
your profession as a soldier by studying military history, and I
think it hard that, as the son of an officer who died in battle
for France, France should have done nothing for you. I have some
little influence myself. What is the name of this cabaret that
Sergeant MacIntosh keeps?"

"The Scottish Soldier, sir. It is near the gate of the barracks of
St. Denis."

"Do not go out tomorrow afternoon. I will have a talk with him,
and maybe I can be of some assistance to you."

So saying, he touched his horse's flank with his heel and rode on,
while the boys continued their play. The next afternoon the lad
remained at home, to the surprise of the sergeant.

"What keeps you in today, Hector? It is rare indeed that you are
indoors in the afternoon."

"An officer came along while we were playing," the lad said, "and
asked me some questions. I told him who I was. He said that he
had some influence, and might be able to assist me."