for a couple of miles because it refused to adjust itself
nicely to the pack. The morning ended by his being left behind with a
balking donkey, while the others completed the last ascent that led to
their halting-place for lunch.

It was a small plateau shaded by oak trees with a broad view below them,
and a mountain stream foaming down from the rocks above. It was owing to
Beppo's knowledge of the mountain paths rather than Tony's which had
guided them to this agreeable spot; though no one in the party except
Constance appeared to have noted the fact. Tony arrived some ten minutes
after the others, hot but victorious, driving Cristoforo Colombo before
him. Constance welcomed his return with an off-hand nod and set him about
preparing lunch. He and Beppo served it and repacked the hampers,
entirely ignored by the others of the party. Poor Tony was beginning to
realize that a donkey-man lives on a desert island in so far as any
companionship goes. But his moment was coming. As they were about to
start on, Constance spied high above their heads, where the stream burst
from the rocks, a clump of starry white blossoms.

'Edelweiss!' she cried. 'Oh, I must have it--it's the first I ever saw
growing; I hadn't supposed we were high enough.' She glanced at the
officers.

The ascent was not dangerous, but it was undeniably muddy, and they both
wore white; with very good cause they hesitated. And while they
hesitated, the opportunity was lost. Tony sprang forward, scrambled up
the precipice hand over hand, swung out across the stream by the aid of
an overhanging branch, and secured the flowers. It was very gracefully
and easily done, and a burst of applause greeted his descent. He divided
his flowers into two equal parts, and sweeping off his hat, presented
them with a bow, not to Constance, but to the officers, who somewhat
sulkily passed them on. She received them with a smile; for an instant
her eyes met Tony's, and he fell back, rewarded.

The captain and lieutenant for the first time regarded the donkey-man,
and they regarded him narrowly, red sash, earrings, stiletto and all.
Constance caught the look and laughed.

'Isn't he picturesque?' she inquired in Italian. 'The head-waiter at the
Hotel du Lac found him for me. He has been in the United States and
speaks English, which is a great convenience.'

The two said nothing, but they looked at each other and shrugged.

The donkeys were requisitioned for the rest of the