ermaster of
the Royal Picts.

"He is a first-class cook," said Hyde to his friend McKay, "and was
trained, he tells me, in one of the best kitchens in Paris. He could
make soup, I believe, out of an old shoe."

"I can't think how you get the materials for the men's meals. That
stew yesterday was never made out of the ration-biscuit and salt pork.
There was fresh meat in it. Where did you get it?"

Old Hyde winked gravely.

"If I were to tell you it would get about, and the men would not touch
it."

"You can trust me. Out with it."

"There's lots of fresh meat to be got in the camp by those who know
where to look for it. Anatole"--this was his French friend--"put me up
to it."

"I don't understand, Hyde. What do you mean?"

"I mean that her Majesty's Royal Picts have been feeding upon
horseflesh. And very excellent meat, too, full of nourishment when it
is not too thin. That is my chief difficulty with what I get."

"It's only prejudice, I suppose," said McKay, laughing; "but it will
be as well, I think, to keep your secret."

But horseflesh was better than no meat, and the men of the Royal Picts
throve well and kept their strength upon Hyde's soups and savoury
stews. Thanks to the care bestowed upon them, the regiment kept up its
numbers in a marvellous way--it even returned more men for duty than
corps which had just arrived, and the difference between it and others
in the camp-grounds close by was so marked that Lord Raglan came over
and complimented Blythe upon the condition of his command.

"I can't tell how you manage, Blythe," said his lordship; "I wish we
had a few more regiments like the Picts."

"It is all system, my lord, and I have reason, I think, to be proud of
ours--that and an excellent regimental staff. I have a capital
quartermaster and a first-rate adjutant."

"I should like to see them," said Lord Raglan.

McKay and Hyde were brought forward and presented to the
Commander-in-Chief.

"Mr. McKay, I know your name. You behaved admirably at Inkerman. I
have just had a letter, too, about you from England."

"About me, my lord?" said Stanislas, astonished.

"Yes, from Lord Essendine, your cousin. And, to oblige him, no less
than on your own account, I must renew my offer of an appointment on
the headquarter staff."

McKay looked at the colonel and shook his head.

"You are very good, my lord, but I prefer to stay with my regiment."

"Colonel Blythe, you really must spare him to me