n for
this, but I know it was so. I have just another remembrance,' he
added, and he shuddered as he spoke.

'What is that?'

'That I had been with Indians. Even now I dream about them, and I wake
up in the night sometimes, seeing the glitter of their eyes, and the
flash of their knives. I think they tortured me, too. I have curious
scars on my body. Still, I don't think about that if I can help it.'

'And you have no recollection of your father or mother?'

He shook his head.

'No memories of your boyhood?'

'No.'

'Then I must give you a name. What would you like to be called?'

He laughed almost merrily. 'I don't know. One name is as good as
another. What a beautiful place!' and he pointed to one of the
proudest dwellings in that part of the country. 'What is it called?'

'That is Mount Edgecumbe,' I said.

'Mount Edgecumbe,' he repeated, 'Edgecumbe? That sounds rather nice.
Call me Edgecumbe.'

'All right,' I laughed; 'but what about your Christian name?'

'I don't mind what it is. What do you suggest?'

'There was a scriptural character who had strange experiences, called
Paul.'

'Paul Edgecumbe,--that wouldn't sound bad, would it?'

'No, it sounds very well.'

'For the future, then, I'll be Paul Edgecumbe, until--my memory comes
back;--if ever it does,' he added with a sigh. 'Paul Edgecumbe, Paul
Edgecumbe,--yes, I shall remember that.'

'And what are you going to do?' I asked. 'Your little store of money
will soon be gone. Have you any idea what you are fit for?'

'Not the slightest. Stay though----' A group of newly-made soldiers
passed by as he spoke, and each of them, according to the custom of
soldiers, saluted me. 'Strapping lot of chaps, aren't they?' he said,
like one talking to himself; 'they'll need a lot of licking into shape,
though. By Jove, that'll do.'

'What'll do?'

'You say England is at war, and you've been on a recruiting stunt.
That will suit me. Recruit me, will you?'

'Do you know anything about soldiering?'

'I don't think so. I remember nothing. Why do you ask?'

'Because when those soldiers saluted me just now, you returned the
salute.'

'Did I? I didn't know. Perhaps I saw you doing so and I unconsciously
followed your lead. But I don't think I do know anything about
soldiering. I remember nothing about it, anyhow.'

This conversation took place in the early spring of 1915, just as
England began to realize that we were actually