'We did not know that a general officer was coming, or we would have been better prepared!' And muttering oaths under his breath, he led me down the well-known passage.

At the door of the parlour he stopped.

'Introduce yourself!' he said rudely.

'And if you find the air warm, don't blame me!' I raised the latch and went in.

At a table in front of the hearth, half covered with glasses and bottles, sat two men playing hazard.