"He is better born than you or me, colonel. A lad of excellent parts and first-rate education. Bring him on, and he will do you and the regiment credit yet."
The colonel sat down again at his desk, and seemed lost in thought.
"I must ask Smallfield. Call in the adjutant, will you?" he added, in a voice that implied their conventional relations as superior officer and sergeant were resumed.
Half an hour later McKay was standing in Hyde's place, receiving the same offer, but accepting, although diffidently.
"I am not fit for the post, sir," he protested.
"That's my affair. I have selected you for reasons of my own, and the responsibility is mine."
"I will try my best, sir; that is all I can say."
"It's quite enough. Do your best, and you will satisfy me."
"I can't think why he chose me," confided Stanislas to his friend Hyde, later on, in the sergeants' mess.
"Can't you?" replied his friend, drily. "It's a case of hidden merit receiving its right reward."