Never heered o' that sort o' confession before; it was always open confession. But, as I was a-saying, one day I thinks as I just said; next day it's all the other way. I don't want to put you out o' heart, sir; but, as you very well know, being quite a scholar, and having read o' these things lots o' times, there's an old saying about possession being nine points of the law. He's got possession tight, and, if you go and tell him he must give it up now, he'll say--"

"Well, what, Jerry?"

"Don't like to tell you, sir, for fear of giving offence."

"Speak out, man; speak out, and don't say 'sir' to me again while we are equals here in the army."

"Ekals, sir? Bein' both in the ranks don't make us ekal."

"But it must not be known at present, and if you keep calling me 'sir'

you may ruin my prospects."

"All right, then; I won't say it--I'll think it, and that'll make it easier, because I can think the other the same time."

"What other?"

"The Richard. I shall allus say 'S'Richard' to myself."

"Very well, do. But, mind--I trust you."

"And you may, sir. It seems to me--as I was going to say--if you won't be offended--"

"Go on, man," cried Richard; "nothing will offend me now."

"Oh! won't it? You're as big a honourable gent now as ever you was; but, if you was to go to your cousin, sir, he'd call you a impostor."

"I'm afraid so, Jerry."

"And, if you turn nasty with him, he'll tell you to go down in the country there, and look at your grave."

d.i.c.k was silent.

"But don't you be downhearted, sir. You shall have your rights. What d'ye say to sending a pet.i.tion to the Queen? I'm told that she's a very nice old lady, when you know her."

d.i.c.k laughed.

"Why should she believe me?"

"Because you're a gent, sir. Anybody could see that with half a heye.

But, look here, sir, there--"

"Will you leave off saying 'sir'? I am d.i.c.k Smithson."

"Oh, very well, d.i.c.k Smithson. There must be a way out of the wood.

What do you say to me killing him--by accident?"

"I say, talk sense, man!"

"Right; I will. I wish I was in your regiment, though. One could see you oft'ner like, and settle things with you. I s'pose if I was to desert and 'list in yours, they'd make a row about it?"

"No doubt about that, Jerry."

"There wouldn't be no harm. I should only have changed from one regiment to another."

"You know enough about a soldier's duties to the colours, man. But I wish you were in the 205th with all my heart."

"And in your company? I could valet you just as I used to."

"Nonsense! I'm not in any company; and for me to have a servant would be impossible as well as absurd."

"Well, I can't see as it would be absurd, because you, being a gent, ought to have your servant. But, to come back to my being in your regiment--ain't there no way of managing it?"

"I don't know, Jerry. Officers exchange."

"There you are: allus a way out of a difficulty, if you can find it.

Officers exchange; why shouldn't privates? I could be no end o' use to you, d.i.c.k Smithson. S'pose we try?"

d.i.c.k laughed, and shook his head.

"Impossible, Jerry! We must be content as we are for the present, and meet now and then, and talk matters over till I see my way to get out of this position."

And it was in this way that they parted.

About a week later d.i.c.k was summoned to the lieutenant's rooms; and, upon reaching them, it was quite plain that something was wrong. For Lacey looked black as thunder as he walked up and down.

"What have I done to offend him?" thought d.i.c.k, as he waited for the young officer to speak.

"Sit down!" growled Lacey; and d.i.c.k obeyed.

"It's beyond bearing!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "I'll clean my own boots, and brush my own clothes. I'm sick of it!"

"Nothing to do with me," thought d.i.c.k; and he ventured a remark.

"Can I help you in any way, sir?"

"No--yes; play something soothing to me. I'm put out. No, don't. It's like making a fool of myself."

d.i.c.k thought so, too, but he did not say anything; while the lieutenant went on pacing the room for a few minutes, and then faced round.

"What do you think he has done now?"

"Who, sir--the colonel?"

"Bah! no: that idiot servant of mine?"

"Broke something, sir?"

"No!" roared the lieutenant; "I wish he had--his neck! Can I trust you, Smithson?"