," said Lord Raglan.
"We want him, and more of his stamp."

"Your wishes are law, my lord. I should prefer to keep Mr. McKay, but
I will not stand in his way if he desires to go. I shall not miss him
so much now that everything is in good working order."

McKay was disposed still to protest, but Lord Raglan cut him short by
saying--

"Come over to headquarters to-morrow, and report yourself to General
Airey. As for you, my fine fellow," Lord Raglan went on, turning to
Hyde, "you are still a non-commissioned officer, I see."

"Yes, my lord, I am only acting-quartermaster."

"Well, I shall recommend you for a commission at once."

"I do not want promotion, my lord," replied Hyde.

"He has refused it several times," added Blythe.

"That's all nonsense! He must take it; it's for the good of the
service. I shall send forward your name," and, so saying, Lord Raglan
rode off.

Stanislas took up his duties at headquarters next day. He was attached
to the quartermaster-general's department, and was at once closely
examined as to his capabilities and qualifications by his new chief,
General Airey, a man of extraordinarily quick perception, and a shrewd
judge of character.

"You speak French? Fluently? Let's see," and the general changed the
conversation to that language. "That's all right. What else? Italian?
German? Russian?--"

"Yes, sir, Russian."

"You ought to be very useful to us. But you will have to work hard,
Mr. McKay, very hard. There are no drones here."

McKay soon found that out. From daybreak to midnight everyone at
headquarters slaved incessantly. Horses stood ready saddled in the
stables, and officers came and went at all hours. Men needed to
possess iron constitution and indomitable energy to meet the demands
upon their strength.

"Lord Raglan wants somebody to go at once to Kamiesch," said General Airey,
coming out one morning to the room in which his staff-assistants worked and
waited for special instructions. There was no one there but McKay, and he
had that instant returned from Balaclava. "Have you been out this morning,
Mr. McKay? Yes? Well, it can't be helped; you must go again."

"I am only too ready, sir."

"That's right. Lord Raglan does not spare himself, neither must you."

"I know, sir. How disgraceful it is that he should be attacked by the
London newspapers and accused of doing nothing at all!"

"Yes, indeed! Why, he was writing by candle-light at six o'clock this
morning,