he enemy's lines? All who have tried it
before have either died in the attempt or have returned to tell me that
it was an absolutely impossible one."

"It would have been very difficult, general, had not the weather
favoured us. The snowstorm drove the sentries into shelter, and even
had they remained at their posts they could not have seen us five yards
away."

"No, I can understand that once beyond the wall you might in such a
storm make your way unnoticed up to the fortress; but I understood that
not only were there guards on the walls and down near the great moat,
but that there were also sentries in all the streets leading to the
walls, and that none were allowed to pass along those leading to the
walls facing the citadel. Tell me how you managed it."

"The story is a long one, sir."

"Never mind how long it is; give me all details. I am not particularly
busy at present, and I would fain know exactly how this feat has been
accomplished."

Hector told his story at length. Beyond asking a question now and then,
Turenne remained silent until he had brought it to a conclusion.

"I have never heard a story that interested me more," he said, "and I do
not know which to admire more, your ingenuity in planning this affair or
the hardihood and courage with which you carried it out. Even had there
been no enemy to get through, the adventure of letting yourself down by
a rope from the housetop and then from the battlements, swimming three
moats, crossing the river in such terrible weather, and finally making
your way to Chivasso in your frozen clothes, is no slight feat of
endurance. The service that you have rendered is a great one, the manner
in which you have carried it out is worthy of the highest praise, and I
shall at once make out your commission as captain. You are still a year
behind me," he added with a smile, "but if you go on in this way, you
bid fair to obtain a regiment as soon as I did. You have nearly four
years to do it in. Tomorrow you will dictate your story in full to
my secretary. I shall be sending a messenger with despatches on the
following day. I shall mention that I have promoted you to the rank of
captain, and that the story of the action that you have performed, which
I shall inclose, will fully explain my reason for so speedily advancing
you. No, I require no thanks; you have to thank yourself only. I may
consider that you have not only done me but the state a service. Your
servant deserves