“I believe it is quite true,” said the “Colonel,” gravely.
“And they say, too, that the diligence never, at this season, arrives in time to catch the early train at—I forget the place.”
“At Susa?”
“Yes, that's it.”
“They are perfectly correct in all that; and knowing it so well, and as my despatches are urgent, I sent on my own light carriage here from Geneva.”
“And have you despatches too?” asked the other, whom we may as well announce to the reader as Tony Butler. “Have you despatches too?” cried he, in great delight at meeting something like a colleague.
“Yes; I take out orders for the Lord High Commissioner to Corfu. I am the head of the Staff there.”
Tony bowed in recognition of the announced rank, and said quietly: “My name is Butler. I am rather new to this sort of thing, and never crossed the Alps in my life.”
“I 'll give you a lift, then, for I have a spare place. My servant has gone round with my heavy baggage by Trieste, and I have a seat to spare.”
“This is most kind of you, but I scarcely dare put you to such inconvenience.”