to help me on my way, sir,” said the cringing mendicant. “You won't see an old comrade go to the bad for the sake of a few rupees? I was with Sale's brigade in the Passes, sir, and I was at the second taking of Cabul.” 

General Heatherstone looked keenly at the supplicant, but was silent to his appeal. 

“I was in Ghuznee with you when the walls were all shook down by an earthquake, and when we found forty thousand Afghans within gunshot of us. You ask me about it, and you'll see whether I'm lying or not. We went through all this when we were young, and now that we are old you are to live in a fine bungalow, and I am to starve by the roadside. It don't seem to me to be fair.” 

“You are an impertinent scoundrel,” said the general. “If you had been a good soldier you would never need to ask for help. I shall not give you a farthing.” 

“One word more, sir,” cried the tramp, for the other was turning away, “I've been in the Tarada Pass.” 

The old soldier sprang round as if the words had been a pistol-shot. 

“What--what d'ye mean?” he stammered. 

“I've been in the Tarada Pass, sir, and I knew a man there called Ghoolab Shah.” 

These last were hissed out in an undertone, and a malicious grin overspread the face of the speaker. 

Their effect upon the general was extraordinary. He fairly staggered back from the gateway, and his yellow countenance blanched to a livid, mottled grey. For a moment he was too overcome to speak. At last he gasped out: 

“Ghoolab Shah? Who are you who know Ghoolab Shah?” 

“Take another look,” said the tramp, “your sight is not as keen as it was forty years ago.” 

The general took a long, earnest look at the unkempt wanderer in front of him, and as he gazed I saw the light of recognition spring up in his eyes. 

“God bless my soul!” he cried. “Why, it's Corporal Rufus Smith.” 

“You've come on it at last,” said the other, chuckling to himself. “I was wondering how long it would be before you knew me. And, first of all, just unlock this gate, will you? It's hard to talk through a grating. It's too much like ten minutes with a visitor in the cells.” 

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