ch grave consequences, coming
so soon upon the heels of Major Berkeley's business, has driven Lord
Wellington to a step regarding which this letter will instruct you."

Sir Terence broke the seal. The letter, penned by a secretary, but
bearing Wellington's own signature, ran as follows:

"The bearer, Captain Stanhope, will inform you of the particulars of
this disgraceful business of Captain Garfield's. The affair following
so soon upon that of Major Berkeley has determined me to make it clearly
understood to the officers in his Majesty's service that they have been
sent to the Peninsula to fight the French and not each other or members
of the civilian population. While this campaign continues, and as long
as I am in charge of it, I am determined not to suffer upon any plea
whatever the abominable practice of duelling among those under my
command. I desire you to publish this immediately in general orders,
enjoining upon officers of all ranks without exception the necessity to
postpone the settlement of private quarrels at least until the close
of this campaign. And to add force to this injunction you will make
it known that any infringement of this order will be considered as a
capital offence; that any officer hereafter either sending or accepting
a challenge will, if found guilty by a general court-martial, be
immediately shot."

Sir Terence nodded slowly.

"Very well," he said. "The measure is most wise, although I doubt if it
will be popular. But, then, unpopularity is the fate of wise measures.
I am glad the matter has not ended more seriously. The dispatches in
question, so far as I can recollect, were not of great urgency."

"There is something more," said Captain Stanhope. "The dispatches bore
signs of having been tampered with."

"Tampered with?" It was a question from Tremayne, charged with
incredulity. "But who would have tampered with them?"

"There were signs, that is all. Garfield was taken to the house of the
parish priest, where he lay lost until he recovered sufficiently to
realise his position for himself. No doubt you will have a schedule of
the contents of the dispatch, Sir Terence?"

"Certainly. It is in your possession, I think, Tremayne."

Tremayne turned to his desk, and a brief search in one of its
well-ordered drawers brought to light an oblong strip of paper folded
and endorsed. He unfolded and spread it on Sir Terence's table, whilst
Captain Stanhope, producing a note with which he