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 back.

The night-porter escorted him to the hall, and opened the great door
for him. In the portico he bade the honest man good night, and stood
for a moment, mapping out in his mind his way to "The Swan with Two
Necks." He shivered slightly, after his nap, in the chill of the
approaching dawn.

As the door closed behind him he was aware of a light shining, out
beyond the screen of the fore-court, and again a horse blew through
its nostrils on the raw air.

"Lord!" thought the Lieutenant. "That fool of a post-boy cannot have
mistaken me and waited all this time!"

He hurried out into Whitehall. Sure enough a chaise was drawn up
there, and a post-boy stood by the near lamp, conning a scrap of
paper by the light of it. No, it was a different chaise, and a
different post-boy. He wore the buff and black, whereas the other