"I saw the regiments pass at a distance," the colonel said, "and they marched in good order, too, which is more than I have seen any other Portuguese troops do. Now you mention it, I did see an officer, in what looked like a British uniform, riding with the men, but it was too far off to see what branch of the service he belonged to. That was you, was it?" "That was me, sure enough, Colonel." "And what were you doing there? Tell us, like a good boy." "Absurd as it may appear, and, indeed, absurd as it is, I am in command of those two regiments." Again a burst of incredulous laughter arose. Terence took out his commission and handed it to the colonel. "Perhaps, Colonel, if you will be kind enough to read that out loud, my assurance will be believed." "Faith, it was not your assurance that we doubted, Terence, me boy!" O'Grady exclaimed. "You have plenty of assurance, and to spare; it is the statement that we were doubting." The colonel glanced down the document, and his face assumed an expression of extreme surprise. "Gentlemen," he said, rising, "if you will endeavour to keep silence for a minute, I will read this document." The surprise on his own face was repeated on the faces of all those present, as he proceeded with his reading. O'Grady was the first to break the silence. "In the name of St. Peter," he said, "what does it all mean? Are you sure that it is a genuine document, Colonel? Terence is capable of anything by way of a joke." "It is undoubtedly genuine, O'Grady. It is dated from Lord Beresford's quarters, and signed by his lordship himself as commander-in-chief of the Portuguese army. How it comes about beats me as much as it does you. But before we ask any questions we will drink a toast. Gentlemen, fill your glasses; here is to the health of Colonel Terence O'Connor." The toast was drank with much enthusiasm, mingled with laughter, for many of them had still a suspicion that the whole matter was somehow an elaborate trick played by Terence. "Now, Colonel O'Connor, will you please to favour us with an account of how General Cradock and Lord Beresford have both united in giving you so big a step up." "It is a long story, Colonel." "So much the better," the colonel replied. "We have nothing to do, and it will keep us all awake."