The colonel stood by the improvised couch for some minutes before some words uttered by the doctor in attendance relieved him sufficiently to enable him to return to help the members of his mess and allay the sufferings and anxieties of the guests. "He's better," he said, pausing for a few moments beside the regimental surgeon, who was still tending Dick. "By the way, come and see to some of the ladies now." "While I am bandaging this poor fellow, and while I am expecting fresh cases every moment?" "No--no, there are no more; the canvas has all been drawn away, and the place carefully explored." "Very well; I'll come as soon as I can. You'll have plenty of civilian doctors to see to them." "Colonel!" cried Dick, sharply. "Will you be quiet, sir?" cried the surgeon.--"Don't take any notice; he's a little light-headed!" "No, I'm not!" said Dick, angrily. "I know what I'm saying.--Colonel!" "What is it, my lad?" "Is Lieutenant Lacey much hurt?" "No, scarcely at all." "And the lady?" "Do you want to be very bad, sir?" cried the doctor. "Hold your tongue!" "Yes, doctor, directly; but I want to know, colonel!" "Yes, yes, my lad," said the old officer, laying his hand upon the youth's arm. "Tell me about the lady." "She has come to her senses; not burned, only terribly alarmed. She will be able to thank you for your bravery!" "Oh, nonsense!" said Dick, hurriedly, and with a singular abstention in his semi-delirium from the use of the title of respect--_sir_; "anyone would have done the same. Now tell me about the poor fellow over yonder." "I forbid you to ask another question!" cried the doctor, angrily. "Let him hear what he wants, and then I'll go," said the colonel, quietly. "What do you want to know, my lad?" "Who is it? Which of the gentlemen of the mess?" "Neither," said the colonel, quietly. "It is one of our guests-- Lieutenant Sir Mark Frayne." Dick's jaw dropped, and his eyes dilated widely, as the colonel now walked sharply away. CHAPTER THIRTY. THE ECHO OF THE BALL. The barrack yard was thronged as the colonel hurried out, thankful that the terrible disaster had not been made awful by any loss of life; and for the next hour he was one of the most active in trying to allay the alarm, and soothing the frightened girls and their chaperones, who were now the occupants of the quarters where the various officers' wives were doing their best to play hostess to the torn and dishevelled beings who had sought shelter beneath their roof.