"For the wounded. And, of course--during the operation you propose-- we expect our corps to be depleted." "By the crews? But they will be _there_! It is of the essence of your surprise that they, too, will return from Guernsey and join you in time. Next, of the Looe Artillery, how many?" "You may put them down at seventy, all told." "One hundred and eighty, and seventy--that makes two hundred and fifty; and the cognac at six francs a gallon; and this Captain Pond commended to me for the deepest man in Looe! It is you--it is he--it is I--it is all of us together that are in luck's way!" M. Dupin leapt up, snapped his bony fingers triumphantly; then, thrusting his hands beneath his coat-tails and clasping them, strode to and fro in front of the Major, for all the world like a long-legged chanticleer. Ah, but wait a moment! Vainglorious bird of Gaul, or of the island contiguous, wait a moment ere you crow before the Mayor of Troy! For a moment the Major lay back in his chair, to all appearance stupefied, confounded. Then he too rose, his lips working, his hand shaking for one instant only as with his pipe-stem he traced a magnificent curve upon the evening sky. "Sit down!" he commanded. "Your plan is clever enough; but I have another worth ten of it." And, laying down his pipe, this extraordinary man lifted the decanter and refilled his glass to the brim without spilling a drop. What was the Major's plan? Wait again, and you shall see it evolved in operation. CHAPTER VI. MALBROUCK S'EN VA. "There is mischief of some sort brewing," said Mr. Smellie, the Riding Officer. "You think so?" queried Mr. Pennefather, trimming a quill. "I'd stake my last shilling on it," said Mr. Smellie, slapping his right boot with his riding-whip. "You, a family man, now--" "Eleven." "Quite so. Then you must know how it is with children; when they look at you as though there was no such thing as original sin, it's time to keep your eye lifting. Ten to one they're getting round you with some new devilry. Well, that's the way with your Cornish." Mr. Smellie came from Glasgow--he and his colleague, Mr. Lomax, the Riding Officer of the Mevagissey district which lay next to ours. The Government, it was understood, had chosen and sent them down to us on the strength of their sense of humour--so different from any to be found in the Duchy.