Long and long ago, when the Empress of India was a young woman and there were no unclean ideals in the land, it was the custom of a few messes to drink the Queen’s toast in broken glass, to the vast delight of the mess-contractors.  The custom is now dead, because there is nothing to break anything for, except now and again the word of a Government, and that has been broken already.

‘That settles it,’ said the colonel, with a gasp.  ’He’s not a sergeant.  What in the world is he?’

The entire mess echoed the word, and the volley of questions would have scared any man.  It was no wonder that the ragged, filthy invader could only smile and shake his head.

From under the table, calm and smiling, rose Dirkovitch, who had been roused from healthful slumber by feet upon his body.  By the side of the man he rose, and the man shrieked and grovelled.  It was a horrible sight coming so swiftly upon the pride and glory of the toast that had brought the strayed wits together.

Dirkovitch made no offer to raise him, but little Mildred heaved him up in an instant.  It is not good that a gentleman who can answer to the Queen’s toast should lie at the feet of a subaltern of Cossacks.

The hasty action tore the wretch’s upper clothing nearly to the waist, and his body was seamed with dry black scars.  There is only one weapon in the world that cuts:  in parallel lines, and it is neither the cane nor the cat.  Dirkovitch saw the marks, and the pupils of his eyes dilated.  Also his face changed.  He said something that sounded like Shto ve takete, and the man fawning answered, Chetyre.

‘What’s that?’ said everybody together.

‘His number.  That is number four, you know.’  Dirkovitch spoke very thickly.

‘What has a Queen’s officer to do with a qualified number?’ said the Colonel, and an unpleasant growl ran round the table.

‘How can I tell?’ said the affable Oriental with a sweet smile.  ’He is a—­how you have it?—­escape—­run-a-way, from over there.’  He nodded towards the darkness of the night.

‘Speak to him if he’ll answer you, and speak to him gently,’ said little Mildred, settling the man in a chair.  It seemed most improper to all present that Dirkovitch should sip brandy as he talked in purring, spitting Russian to the creature who answered so feebly and with such evident dread.  But since Dirkovitch appeared to understand no one said a word.  All breathed heavily, leaning forward, in the long gaps of the conversation.  The next time that they have no engagements on hand the White Hussars intend to go to St. Petersburg in a body to learn Russian.

‘He does not know how many years ago,’ said Dirkovitch, facing the mess, ’but he says it was very long ago in a war.  I think that there was an accident.  He says he was of this glorious and distinguished regiment in the war.’

‘The rolls!  The rolls!  Holmer, get the rolls!’ said little Mildred, and the adjutant dashed off bare-headed to the orderly-room, where the muster-rolls of the regiment were kept.  He returned just in time to hear Dirkovitch conclude, ’Therefore, my dear friends, I am most sorry to say there was an accident which would have been reparable if he had apologised to that our colonel, which he had insulted.’