"Yes, my lord, I am only acting-quartermaster."
"Well, I shall recommend you for a commission at once."
"I do not want promotion, my lord," replied Hyde.
"He has refused it several times," added Blythe.
"That's all nonsense! He must take it; it's for the good of the service. I shall send forward your name," and, so saying, Lord Raglan rode off.
Stanislas took up his duties at headquarters next day. He was attached to the quartermaster-general's department, and was at once closely examined as to his capabilities and qualifications by his new chief, General Airey, a man of extraordinarily quick perception, and a shrewd judge of character.
"You speak French? Fluently? Let's see," and the general changed the conversation to that language. "That's all right. What else? Italian? German? Russian?—"
"Yes, sir, Russian."
"You ought to be very useful to us. But you will have to work hard, Mr. McKay, very hard. There are no drones here."
McKay soon found that out. From daybreak to midnight everyone at headquarters slaved incessantly. Horses stood ready saddled in the stables, and officers came and went at all hours. Men needed to possess iron constitution and indomitable energy to meet the demands upon their strength.