"I protest, sir. It is an insult to me and my regiment." "Yes, positively disgusting," pouted a very charming maid of seventeen, with a haughty flush on her cheek. "We didnae protest the ither day when you made us fu’ in the pub," chirped Spud, almost sticking his nose into the young scout-officer’s face. "Silence!" roared Colonel Corkleg. Addressing the officer, he said, "I apologise for this rude interference with your very pleasant mission. I can well understand your indignation," at the same time casting a roguish glance at the pretty girl. "Oh, it’s all right, sir," replied the subaltern, saluting and marching off. A similar apology was tendered to all the other captured swains when they were allowed to depart. "Fall in" was then sounded, and all marched merrily home. In the officers’ mess that night the laughter was loud and long, for their men had squared the defeat of the previous day. Even the colonel let himself go, and laughed till his old artificial leg rattled on the floor with glee. "Useful men, eh," he concluded. "Yes, sir," replied the adjutant. CHAPTER XIV. ALL ABOUT SPIES. _Giddy_ Greens, to whom you have already been introduced, was a queer fellow. He was a mixture of Beau Brummel, Cæsar, and Don Juan—one who dressed well, fought well, and kissed gloriously, as a flapper would say. He was also a student, and certainly a daring adventurer. His fine complexion, well-groomed figure, and air of blasé indifference, gave to all the idea that he was simply a delightful idiot who hunted women and tippled good wine. But Giddy Greens was something like that hero in ’The Scarlet Pimpernel’—a man who had his strength and ambition under a mask of genial imbecility. He knew English literature upside down, and delighted to rave about the glories of Shakespeare, Milton, and Stevenson. A traveller too, for Giddy Greens had toured the whole world on a ten-pound note. He had done everything from cattle-ranching to that of a super in a third-class Musical Comedy. To women he was ever a hero. His magnetic personality was of a forceful yet charming kind.