quite right, Fraulein Thekla. I know I do not look very fierce,
but I hope when my moustache grows I shall come up more nearly to your
expectations. As to my height, I have some years to grow yet, seeing
that I am scarce eighteen, and perhaps no older than your cousin."

"Have you recently joined, sir?" the countess asked.

"I have served through the campaign," Malcolm replied, "and have seen
some hard knocks given, as you may imagine when I tell you that I was at
the siege of New Brandenburg."

"When your soldiers fought like heroes, and, as I heard, all died sword
in hand save two or three officers who managed to escape."

"I was one of the three, countess; but the tale is a long one, and can
be told after we have done with the Imperialists. Now, sir," he went on,
turning to the count, "I am at your orders, and will take post with my
men at any point that you may think fit."

"Before doing that," the count said, "you must join us at breakfast. You
must be hungry after your long march, and as I have been all night in
my armour I shall do justice to it myself. You will, of course, take
up your abode here. As to other matters I have done my best, and the
townspeople were yesterday all told off to their places on the walls.
I should think it were best that your band were stationed in the
marketplace as a reserve, they could then move to any point which might
be seriously threatened. Should the Imperialists enter the town the
citizens have orders to fall back here fighting. All their most valuable
goods were sent up here yesterday, together with such of their wives
and families as have not taken flight, so that there will be nothing to
distract them from their duty."

"That is good," Malcolm said. "The thought that one is fighting for
home and family must nerve a man in the defence, but when the enemy
once breaks in he would naturally think of home first and hasten away to
defend it to the last, instead of obeying orders and falling back with
his comrades in good order and discipline."

The meal was a cheerful one. Malcolm related more in detail how he and
his detachment happened to be so far removed from the army.

Just as the meal came to an end a drum beat in the town and the alarm
bells began to ring. The count and Malcolm sallied out at once to the
outer wall, and saw a small party of officers riding from the village
occupied by the Imperialists towards the town.

"Let us descend," the count said. "I presume