"
The next day an orderly came into the room just after mess-dinner had
commenced. He whispered to the adjutant, who at once rose.
"Mr. President," he said to the major who was at the head of the
table, "I must ask you to excuse me leaving the table. The colonel
wishes to see me immediately at his quarters."
"What can be the matter now?" one of the officers said. "It must be
something of importance or the colonel would never hare called
Hallowes out in that way."
"Heard of some still away among the hills, I suppose. That means a
night's tramp for some of us. Too bad to be put to this sort of work
within a week of sailing on foreign service," grumbled another.
Various guesses were made as to the nature of the business, and
several wagers were laid on the subject. In ten minutes the adjutant
returned. He was evidently excited, and all listened with great
interest as, instead of resuming his seat, he remained standing.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I have great news for you. A vessel has just
come in from Plymouth with dispatches. Napoleon has escaped from Elba.
He has landed in France, and been received with enthusiasm. The troops
have joined him, and he is already close to Paris, which he is
expected to enter without opposition. The King of France has fled."
For a moment there was silence, then the major leaped to his feet.
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