"'This seemed to sober him momentarily, because he blurted out in a thick voice, "'Scuse me, Sergeant, but--hic,--back in Blighty,--I could drink 'em all under the table, 'ad the name for a-doin' it in the pubs. Was champeen of 'em all--an' I know this blinkin' red ink I been a drinkin' ain't made me drunk--hic--it's mighty damned queer" (a hard look from me) "excuse me, Miss, but my 'ead's like a buzz saw." "'I was getting madder and madder. Adrienne seemed to be getting fidgety. She was looking around nervously. I could stand it no longer, so I let out on Hawkins. "'"You get back to that stable, you drunk, you're a disgrace to that uniform; I'll attend to you in the morning. You're under arrest." Hawkins didn't move and after a strong effort started talking, more to himself than to me,--he seemed in a daze. "'"Sergeant, I--there's a horse--there's a horse, it's missing--the rifles are gone--can't find a nary one--only thirteen horses--one from fourteen's thirteen--had fourteen--one from thirteen's fourteen--" "'I looked for my rifle. Adrienne smiled at me and reassuringly pointed to the far corner of the room. There was my rifle. But how did it get there? I was getting alarmed and uneasy. Noting this, Adrienne with her sweetest smile said,-- "'"I see my Sergeant is not used to our French wine; it plays many tricks on the mind." And she glanced significantly at Hawkins. "'Hawkins, giving me a wondering look, mumbled, "Sergeant's got same kind of drunk--hic--I got--rifles walk--hic--horses fly." "'Adrienne gave me a look of disdain which decided me. Turning to Hawkins, I ordered,-- "'"You get back to that stable, quick; not another word from you. I tell you, you are drunk." "'Hawkins gave me a sarcastic salute and muttered loud enough for me to hear, "Sergeant has more brains than Lance Corporal--or wouldn't be sergeant--don't know there's a war on--thinks this is a blinkin' peace time maneuver--ter 'ell with the bloody horses--a bloomin' rifle's only extra weight." Then he turned around and stumbled out of the door. "'I was mad to the core. Still I was uneasy about Hawkins's report concerning the rifles and horses and intended immediately to investigate. "'Adrienne came over to me and, putting a hand on each of my shoulders, looked up into my eyes and said, "My sergeant has taken too much wine. I am sorry. I thought he was strong and could laugh at such trifles, but I see I was mistaken." "'This sent me up in the air completely. I would show her. Removing her hands from my shoulders, I reached for the glass of wine. She gently took it from me and, just touching the edge of the glass to her pretty lips, passed it back and said in a voice of silver, "Drink, my Sergeant, drink to our betrothal. Drink to the honour of France. Drink to the honour of England. Drink to the confusion of our enemies." "'I drank with my fool heart pounding against my ribs.