to the fatigue of his rider. After two days' rest my
horses are perfectly ready for another long day's work, while those of
Chavigny and de Lisle start heavily, not having recovered from their
fatigue."

"Very well, you can go then, Campbell. I am pleased with your spirit,
and also with your thoughtfulness for your companions, who, although
strong young men, do not seem to have your power of endurance. I find,
too, that you always carry out your instructions with intelligence, and
that your reports on matters touching which I have sent you to inquire
are always clear and full. It may be that ere long I may find employment
for you in which courage as well as intelligence is required. There is
but one drawback, namely, that you do not speak Italian. I know that
there are few officers in our service who do so; but it would be so much
the more valuable were you able to master it."

"I had intended to study the language, general, as soon as I got here,
but have had no time to begin it."

"That you certainly have not," Turenne said with a smile.

"Do you think that it would be of any use, sir, if I were to take a
Savoyard servant? I find that many of them who come from places near the
frontier speak French as well as their own language."

"That would be useful, certainly; but you would have to be careful in
your choice, and see that you get one whose sympathies are with the
duchess; not only for your own safety, but because a chance word heard
here, or an order given and conveyed to the Spaniards, might involve the
loss of a battle."

"I see that, general, and will be very careful."

Hector had formed the acquaintance of several young officers attached to
the household of the duchess, and on the day following his return from
his mission he was supping with a party of four of them when he said:

"Can one of you gentlemen recommend a servant to me? He must be able
to talk French as well as Italian. He must be active and intelligent. I
should like him to be handy and accustomed to camp service, though this
is not so important, for I want him as an interpreter before anything
else. I should like him to be a lightweight, so as to be able to ride
with me. He must be accustomed to fatigue, and he must have courage, for
some of the journeys on which I may be sent will not be without danger,
and of course he must be of the duchess's party."

"And I suppose," one of the young men said, "that this Admirable
Crichton of whom yo