"A false alarm, Smithson," said the lieutenant, with a forced laugh, as he dabbed his forehead. "I caught a glimpse of them lower down; I thought it was the major and the doctor. How absurd it all seemed. You don't think those two fellows will talk about it?" "Well, sir, I can't help thinking they will," replied Dick. "That will be awkward," said the lieutenant in dismay. "They ought to have been in barracks; and they may excuse themselves by saying that I was treating them at a public-house." "Yes, sir, it will be awkward," said Dick, who felt annoyed and yet amused. "It will look so ungentlemanly. You see, they were both men belonging to my company. Whatever shall I do?" "Nothing, I should say, sir. I don't see what you can do." "No," said the lieutenant, shaking his head sadly. "What a pity it is that things will go so crookedly!" And he walked on in silence down into the main street, looking sharply from side to side. "Anyone would think that we were going to commit a burglary," muttered Dick. As they went on for some time, "Is it here, sir?" he ventured to say at last. "Only about five hundred yards more, Smithson; but, really, that _contretemps_ has so upset me that I think you had better play a solo. I shall never get through a duet." "But that would be of no use, sir," cried Dick. "It would be only my music then. It ought to be your serenade." "Yes, Smithson--it ought," sighed the lieutenant in a husky whisper; "but, if I broke down, it would be absurd." "But you wouldn't break down, sir. See how correctly you played it this evening." "Yes, I did--didn't I? You think I could do it, don't you?" "I'm sure you could, sir, if you would only forget about being nervous." "I must try," said the lieutenant. "We are very near now." They were now where the lamps had grown fewer, and consequently the road between was much darker; but there was light enough for Dick to see that they were passing a series of detached houses, built upon the same plan, standing back some forty yards from the road, and approached by semicircular carriage drives from gate to gate. Trees were plentiful in the grounds, and overhung and darkened the footpath; so that, as they passed the second gateway, the lieutenant gave a violent start, for from close up to the wall there came a gruff voice-- "Night, gentlemen!" "Eh! You quite startled me," said the lieutenant. "I didn't see you." "No, sir. Don't want to be seen," replied the man. "Get some queer customers down here sometimes, and obliged to keep a sharp look-out." "Yes; quite right," said the lieutenant, feebly; and he walked straight on for about a hundred yards before speaking. "It's all over, Smithson!" he whispered at last. "All over, sir?" "Yes; that's the house, and there's the policeman on the watch." "That's awkward," said Dick; "but he'll soon go, sir."