“Tut, tut!” said he.  “I feared something of the kind ever since that business of the peel tower.  It’s the way with the French.  They can’t leave the women alone.  But, at least, de Lissac has married her, and that’s a comfort.  But it’s no time now to think of our own little troubles, with all Europe in a roar again, and another twenty years’ war before us, as like as not.”

“What d’ye mean?” I asked.

“Why, man, Napoleon’s back from Elba, his troops have flocked to him, and Louis has run for his life.  The news was in Berwick this morning.”

“Great Lord!” cried my father.  “Then the weary business is all to do over again!”

“Aye, we thought we were out from the shadow, but it’s still there.  Wellington is ordered from Vienna to the Low Countries, and it is thought that the Emperor will break out first on that side.  Well, it’s a bad wind that blows nobody any good.  I’ve just had news that I am to join the 71st as senior major.”

I shook hands with our good neighbour on this, for I knew how it had lain upon his mind that he should be a cripple, with no part to play in the world.

“I am to join my regiment as soon as I can; and we shall be over yonder in a month, and in Paris, maybe, before another one is over.”

“By the Lord, then, I’m with you, Major!” cried Jim Horscroft.  “I’m not too proud to carry a musket, if you will put me in front of this Frenchman.”

“My lad, I’d be proud to have you serve under me,” said the Major.  “And as to de Lissac, where the Emperor is he will be.”

“You know the man,” said I.  “What can you tell us of him?”

“There is no better officer in the French army, and that is a big word to say.  They say that he would have been a marshal, but he preferred to stay at the Emperor’s elbow.  I met him two days before Corunna, when I was sent with a flag to speak about our wounded.  He was with Soult then.  I knew him again when I saw him.”

“And I will know him again when I see him!” said Horscroft, with the old dour look on his face.

And then at that instant, as I stood there, it was suddenly driven home to me how poor and purposeless a life I should lead while this crippled friend of ours and the companion of my boyhood were away in the forefront of the storm.  Quick as a flash my resolution was taken.

“I’ll come with you too, Major,” I cried.

“Jock!  Jock!” said my father, wringing his hands.

Jim said nothing, but put his arm half round me and hugged me.  The Major’s eyes shone and he flourished his cane in the air.

“My word, but I shall have two good recruits at my heels,” said he.  “Well, there’s no time to be lost, so you must both be ready for the evening coach.”