was no
cheering at all--no, not for this the most glorious victory of the
war--outshining even the Nile or Howe's First of June.

He had set his face as he walked to the inn. But the news had
flown before him, and fresh crowds gathered to watch him off.
The post-boys knew . . . and _they_ told the post-boys at the next
stage, and the next--Bodmin and Plymouth--not to mention the boatmen
at Torpoint Ferry. But the countryside did not know: nor the
labourers gathering in cider apples heaped under Devon apple-trees,
nor, next day, the sportsmen banging off guns at the partridges
around Salisbury. The slow, jolly life of England on either side of
the high road turned leisurely as a wagon-wheel on its axle, while
between hedgerows, past farm hamlets, church-towers and through the
cobbled streets of market towns, he had sped and rattled with
Collingwood's dispatch in his sealed case. The news had reached
London with him. His last post-boys had carried it to their stables,
and from stable to tavern. To-morrow--to-day, rather--in an hour or
two--all the bells of London would be ringing--or tolling! . . .

"He's as tired as a dog," said the voice of the Secretary.
"Seems almost a shame to waken him."

The Lieutenant opened his eyes and jumped to his feet with an
apology. Lord Barham had gone, and the Secretary hard by was
speaking to the night-porter, who bent over the fire, raking it with
a poker. The hands of the Queen Anne clock indicated a quarter to
six.

"The First Lord would like to talk with you . . . later in the day,"
said Mr. Tylney gravely, smiling a little these last words.
He himself was white and haggard. "He suggested the early afternoon,
say half-past two. That will give you time for a round sleep. . . .
You might leave me the name of your hotel, in case he should wish to
send for you before that hour."

"'The Swan with Two Necks,' Lad Lane, Cheapside," said Lieutenant
Lapenotiere.

He knew little of London, and gave the name of the hostelry at which,
many years ago, he had alighted from a West Country coach with his
box and midshipman's kit . . . . A moment later he found himself
wondering if it still existed as a house of entertainment. Well, he
must go and seek it.

The Secretary shook hands with him, smiling wanly.

"Few men, sir, have been privileged to carry such news as you have
brought us to-night."

"And I went to sleep after delivering it," said Lieutenant
Lapenotiere, smiling