The Colonel of the Red Huzzars

ugh the crowds and clanging electric cars, at the Smithfield Street corner, I turned toward Penn Avenue and the Club, whose hom

all, would say-and my relief was due next week. Nor was I sorry. I was tired of dams and bridges and jobs, of levels and blue prints and mathematics. I wanted my sword and pisto

med lucky; promotion passed him by and seized upon his fellow in the field. I had missed the war in China and the fighting in the Philippines and, as a consequence, had seen juniors lifted over me. Yet, possibly, I had small cause to grumble; for my own gold leaves ha

e in the Club reception-room, waiting for the dinner hour, gave me the usual fami

or," said Marmont. "Dinner won't see

wered. "Meanwhile there are cards awaiting all

ssignment to the White Elephant acr

Hastings, "did you appl

ls them?

ffee's notion that white uni

ed my sh

of your superior offi

done in the Arm

take a drink," said Westlake,

tney observed, as the dice were decidi

over, I fanc

en the after

N

the Titian Ambassad

still doubt if

erial. "Getting rather near o

short while ago," I answered. "Moreover, in th

ess I'm much mistaken, if the Titians and the Valerians get their ar

r a woman," I obs

ance. "I thought that was r

at the newspapers have not discove

ourself," he said, with t

Kingdom of Valeria than-well, than your friend

ning the State Departm

ng your friend by rating

st. "Ever been to

odd

cen

six yea

the las

ou driving

tion: "Seen the last number o

I an

News," he said to the boy. Opening it at

since you saw her?"

ere was, however, a certain coldness in the eyes and a firm set of the lip and jaw that were new to me. But, as I looked, they seemed to so

ell pleased with the l

d back

swered my questi

, "it seems to me you are inf

ted to know something,"

el

know it now

?" I re

ake a bet?

on a certai

for twenty that you and I are in Valeria thirty days from to-ni

!" sa

ou do nothing to avoid Kin

Princess?

her to win me the

. The longer I looked the more willing I was

y comes I'll dance

l-but will you sto

grey-bespr

"I don't trust even my own to keep

now," said I. "I'm not going to

representative of our Army to o

a gypsy or a medium

nder the wager, I'm to be in the King's invitati

ecure accommodat

ed-on the Wilh

t-several long shots," I la

aying only War. I have the Secr

e the Se

ys

laimed, lifting my

aid Courtney quickly, lifti

re again-and again it

the toast. "We're a pair of old fools,"

the News and held t

o her," he

o her very face,"

ram. I tore open the yellow envelope and read th

If desired report at headquarters immediately

HENDERSON,

ney. "You're that much ne

incess also

actually go

r, did you ev

are past doubti

you

r orders of the

hat being so, you won't mind my confessing t

ing that gives me y

some dinner, and then cut in for a farew

sort of game over th

t sort of hearts," h

ney, you are growing s

There's no fool like an old

just old enough to be neit

went in

His tastes ran to diplomacy, and Secretaries of State-knowing this fact, and being further advised of it at various times by certain prominent Senators-had given him numerous secret missions to both Eur

planation of my sudden orders. He was an intimate of our family; had known me since childhood, and, doubtless, had asked for my detail to his household, and also for Courtn

crossing with us?"

head. "He is not go

my mistake, "I didn't appreciate

owever, I'm glad it does n

r we reach Valeria-and you h

"Yes, there may be changes in Val

e in our rank," I answered. "But you must manage one turn for m

you been to Valeria

zen," I repli

vate apartments of th

thin

e corridor where hang the

t recal

lieve me, you would rec

are you drivin

night you dance w

er doesn't usually

poor army officer. But

I said,

the picture gall

word would he sa