erious art of telling the time, was not the man to
answer such a question as this at random.

"Hould my gun, cap'n," he said, "till I sthrike a light."

Fancy a sentinel asking an officer to hold his gun! I knew enough of
military discipline to make me tremble at the thought of what would
become of my unceremonious master.

But the officer, instead of flying into a rage, took the rifle and
laughed. That laugh reminded me more than ever of Randlebury.

"You're a pretty fellow," he said. "Is that the manners they teach you
at home."

"I axe yer pardon, colonel, but--"

Here the officer laughed again--and oh! how my heart beat as I heard
him. "If I stay here much longer I shall get promoted to general, I
suppose," said he. "Look sharp and tell me the time."

Patrick, without another word, produced a light. The officer's face was
half turned as he did so, and I could not catch his features, but as he
turned impatiently towards the sentinel the light fell full upon it, and
with a bound of astonishment I recognised in the swarthy, soldierly
officer before me, no other than my oldest and dearest master, Charlie
Newcome, of Randlebury.

The strange presentiment, then, was true--I had found him after so long
a time! But what if he should not see me? What torment to be so near
and yet so far! And how was it likely he would take notice of a common
private's watch, and if he did, how was it likely at this distance of
time he would remember poor me? Jim, I know, had told him of the
strange way in which I had come into his hands, and would certainly have
also told him about losing me. He must, therefore, long ago have given
up all thoughts about me, or if he ever remembered me it would be as one
dead.

My master took me out and held me up to the light.

"It'll be about five minutes past ten, your honour, by my watch."

"Thank you. Good--hullo?"

He had seen me! His eyes were suddenly riveted upon me, and he seemed
glued to the spot where he stood.

"Did your honour plaze to spake?" asked Paddy, proceeding to put me back
into his pocket.

"My old watch!" cried Charlie, springing forward, and catching hold of
my master's hand. "Give it to me!"

Paddy's surprise was unbounded. At first he deemed the man mad, then
drunk, then gradually it dawned upon him this was not an officer at all,
but a highwayman in disguise, seeking to take advantage of his solitude
to rob him.

In an instant he sprang back, and