commandant's
house.

"What do you want?" the sentry at the door asked as they came up.

The regiment was French, and Hector answered at once:

"We want to see the governor, we have important news for him."

The soldier was greatly surprised, for he had not expected his question
to be understood by these peasant boys.

"Sergeant," he called out, "here are two peasant boys who speak French.
They want to see the governor, and say that they have news of importance
to give him."

A sergeant came out.

"Sergeant," Hector went on quietly, "you will please tell the governor
that the two persons he sent out under an escort the evening before
last, wish to see him."

By the tone of assurance in which the lad spoke, rather than by his
words, the sergeant saw that there was something more than appeared
on the surface, and at once took up the message. He returned almost
immediately. "Please to follow me," he said, and led the way up to the
governor's room.

"Welcome back again, Monsieur Campbell! You have returned sooner than I
expected. You found, of course, that the difficulties were insuperable?"

"On the contrary, sir, we have been successful, and have communicated
with the garrison of the citadel."

"You have!" the governor exclaimed in astonishment. "How on earth
did you manage it? I heard that the watch was so strict that it was
absolutely impossible for a message to be sent through."

"It was not very difficult after all, and we were greatly favoured by
the snowstorm." He then gave an account of how they had managed it.

"Pardieu!" he exclaimed, "that was admirably done; but I am keeping you
talking while you are sitting in your wet clothes."

"I think they are quite dry now, sir; and we have walked so fast that
we are both thoroughly warm. Still, I own that I shall not be sorry to
change them for my own."

The governor rose and opened the door. "Your clothes are all hanging up
in that closet. I will have some hot water sent up at once. I shall
be breakfasting in half an hour, so you will have time to change
comfortably."

Hector was even more glad of a thorough wash than of a change of
clothes, and went down to join the governor at breakfast, feeling
greatly refreshed.

"Shall I wait on you, master?"

"No, it is not necessary, Paolo; you had better go into the kitchen at
once. I have no doubt the governor has ordered them to attend to your
wants as he did before."

Four other officers had just arri