to make."

Loud cheers rose from the men, who were overjoyed on learning that their
new lord was inclined to deal so generously with them, and especially
that the fine, which many of them would have found it impossible to pay,
was to be altogether remitted. Having completed all his arrangements
Hector returned to Paris, mounting his men on four of the horses he
found in the stables, and leaving at the castle two of those which
Enghien had given him, and the two Paolo had caught on the field of
battle. He arrived on the evening of the day before his leave expired,
put up at the auberge of the Pome d'Or, and early the next morning took
his way to The Scottish Soldier.

CHAPTER XII: THE POITOU REGIMENT

"Well, MacIntosh," Hector said as he entered the cabaret, "have you
made up your mind? The castle is a strong one, and I mean to make it
stronger. The air is good and so is the wine, and I am sure that you
will find the duties pleasant.

"If you go I think it would be as well that you should take a couple of
your old comrades--you said there were many of them in Paris--with you,
to act as your sergeants, drill the tenants, and see that all goes on in
order. It will be pleasant for you to have two of your old friends with
whom you can talk over past times."

"I had decided to accept your offer, Hector; but certainly this would
have decided me had I not already made up my mind. That was the one
drawback, that I should be among strangers, but with two of my old
friends I should not feel lonely. There is Sholto Macfarlane, he was in
my troop. He lost a hand from his musket bursting three years ago, and
now makes his living by helping the boatmen unload at the quays. Then
there is Kenneth Munroe. He was invalided after a bad attack of fever in
Flanders, and now teaches the broadsword exercise at a fencing master's
place at St. Denis. They would both jump at the offer if they only got
free lodgings and keep."

"Then that is settled, MacIntosh. I am heartily glad of it. Now the
sooner you get down there the better."

"Well, I can go at once. Sergeant Morrison is taking his discharge at
the end of the week. He is a married man with a helpful little wife. I
was telling him of the offer that you had made me, and he asked me what
I would take for the cabaret. It is a good business, and having a wife
he could manage it better than I can. I said that if he had a fancy for
it I would rather that he took it than another; a