“I have the king’s authority,” Colonel Crofton said to him, “to act as temporary governor until another may be appointed.  I do not know whether you are aware of the circumstances that led to the flight of Don Juan de Munos?”

“No, sir, we have heard nothing.  Rumours were current, among the men, that some strange discoveries were made when the stores were examined, but beyond that I know nothing.  In fact, at the time, the assassination of Colonel Mendez of the artillery created such an excitement that nothing else was spoken of.”

“Well, Colonel, if you will accompany me to the governor’s house, I will enter into the matter fully with you.  You may well believe that it is serious, as I have been despatched here with my regiment, and with one of French infantry, for both of whom quarters must be found at once.”

“There is plenty of room, sir.  The barracks will contain ten thousand men, and at present we have but four thousand here.”

“Then I beg, Colonel, that instead of coming at once to my quarters, you will tell off officers to conduct the troops to the most convenient of the buildings now empty.  After that, I shall be glad to see you and the commanding officers of the other regiments.

“You will, of course, take up your quarters at the governor’s house, Captain Kennedy,” he went on, as he rode forward.  “As you are going to be employed in surveying duties, you will naturally be a good deal away.  But your presence here will be absolutely necessary, as a witness against any of these rascally contractors we can lay our hands on.”

When the four colonels arrived, after seeing that the troops were housed, Colonel Crofton obtained from them the names and addresses of the various contractors; and, half an hour later, parties of the cavalry regiment in garrison were despatched, under officers, with orders to arrest and bring them into Badajos.  During the meal, Colonel Crofton explained to the four colonels the discovery of the frauds, which naturally excited the greatest indignation among them.  He then requested them and Desmond to accompany him to the stores.  This they did, after sending to the barracks for a party of fifty men for fatigue duty.

The gaps made during Desmond’s explorations had been carefully filled up again, but upon fresh openings being made, his reports were fully borne out.  Some hours were spent at the central magazine, and orders given that the other magazines should be opened and examined on the following day.

Desmond did not join in this search, but started early, with Mike, to carry out his own mission.  He had been furnished with reports, sent in by the provincial and local juntas, as to the state of the roads, but, as he had expected, he soon found these to be grossly inaccurate.  The roads marked as excellent, and fit for the passage of artillery and trains, were found to be mere bridle roads.  Others, marked as highroads, were almost impassable lanes.  The bridges across the streams were, for the most part, in such a bad condition as to be unsafe for a country cart and, until repaired, impossible for the passage of artillery.