I was watching all this with a more than common interest, when the door opened, and the waiter entered with a large placard.

He was followed by another with a ladder, by whose assistance he succeeded in attaching the large square of paper to the wall above the fireplace.

Every one about rose up, curious to ascertain what was going forward; and I myself joined in the crowd around the fire.

The first glance of the announcement showed me what it meant; and it was with a strange mixture of shame and confusion I read:-- "_Fall of Ciudad Rodrigo: with a full and detailed account of the storming of the great breach, capture of the enemy's cannon, etc., by Michael Free, 14th Light Dragoons_." Leaving the many around me busied in conjecturing who the aforesaid Mr.
Free might be, and what peculiar opportunities he might have enjoyed for his report, I hurried from the room and called the waiter.
"What's the meaning of the announcement you've just put up in the coffee-room?
Where did it come from ?" "Most important news, sir; exclusively in the columns of the '_Bristol Telegraph_,'-- the gentleman has just arrived--" "Who, pray?
What gentleman ?" "Mr.Free, sir, No.

13--large bed-room--blue damask--supper for two--oysters--a devil--brandy-and-water-mulled port." "What the devil do you mean?
Is the fellow at supper ?" Somewhat shocked by the tone I ventured to assume towards the illustrious narrator, the waiter merely bowed his reply.
"Show me to his room," said I; "I should like to see him." "Follow me, if you please, sir,--this way.