have a sharp boy than a man. Being but a boy myself, I could
appreciate and put up with more in the way of mischief than a man
could."

"I will tell my groom to bring him round to your quarters in the
morning," the officer said; "but mind, I in no way recommend your
taking him. You won't keep him a week if you do."

The next morning Hector's orderly told him that a man desired to
speak to him.

"Has he a boy with him?"

"Yes, lieutenant."

"Bring them in here, then."

In a minute a man entered, followed by a boy. The former was a good
looking young Savoyard of some four- or five-and-twenty years; the
latter was a lad of about the same height as Hector but somewhat
older. He had black hair which fell over his forehead down to his
eyebrows. His face bore an expression of extreme humility, which,
however, was marred by the merry twinkle of his dark eyes.

"My master has bid me bring my brother with me, Lieutenant
Campbell," the man said, "and I have done so, but I fear greatly
that he will hardly suit you as a servant. I have obtained a dozen
places for him, but he is always sent back at the end of three or
four days, and I told him last time that I would never say a word
in his recommendation again, for that it only gets me into trouble