asking it through a servant, perhaps of having to invent an excuse
for my visit. Without more ado, therefore, I made bold to lift the
latch of the gate and step into the garden.

"At the sound of the latch--I can see him now--Major Brooks lifted
his head with a curious start, and tucked the bundle under his arm.
The movement was like that of a man taken at unawares, and
straightening himself up to meet an attack. I cannot describe it
precisely, but that was just the impression it made on me, and it
took me aback for a moment, so that I paused as the gate fell-to and
latched itself behind me.

"'Halt there!' the Major commanded, facing me full across the turf.
'Halt, and tell me, please, why you have come back!'

"This puzzled me worse for a moment, for the light was good, though
drawing towards sunset, and it seemed impossible that, looking
straight at me, he could mistake me for the man who had just left the
garden. Then I remembered what Harry had told me of his father's
blindness.

"My silence naturally made him more suspicious.

"'Who is it there? Your name, please?' he demanded sharply.

"' Sir,' I answered, 'I beg your pardon for coming thus unannounced,
but my name is Branscome, and I had once the honour to be shipmate
with you on board the _Londonderry_ transport.'

"For a while he continued to stare at me in his blind way.

"'Yes,' he said slowly, at length; 'yes; I remember your voice, sir.
But what in the name of wonder brings you to my garden just now?'

"'Your son Harry, sir,' said I, 'some time ago gave me a message from
you. If ever (he said) I found myself in the neighbourhood of Minden
Cottage you would be pleased to receive a visit from me.'

"'Yes,' said he, but still with a something in his voice between
wonder and suspicion; 'that's true enough. I have always retained
the highest respect for Captain Branscome, and by your voice you are
he. But--but--' He hesitated, and fired another question point-blank
at me: 'You come from Falmouth?'

"'I do, sir.'

"'Alone?'

"'Yes, sir. I have walked all the way from Falmouth, and without a
companion.'

"'Look here, my friend,' he said, after seeming to ponder for a
moment, 'if you mean ill, you must have altered strangely from the
Captain Branscome I used to know, and if you mean well you have timed
your visit almost as strangely.' He paused again. 'Either you know
what I mean, or you do not; if you do not, you will have to forgive a