"Impossible!" said the Colonel. "You are Spanish, but——"
"Of Spanish parents, Señor, but English-born. I joined the regiment at Blankhampton. My room-mate was Sergeant Tom Mannis."
Darcy drew in his breath sharply.
"Your Excellency may remember he died of fever."
"I never saw or heard of your friend!"
"Though he was your Excellency's body-servant," suggested the stranger.
Darcy bit his moustache.
"When he died," continued the speaker, "he bequeathed certain papers to me, containing evidence of a ceremony performed over a certain officer of his regiment, then stationed in Ireland, in the month of August three years ago."
"Ah," said the Colonel, "I think I see the drift of your remarks, my friend. You wish to have a little chat with me, eh?"
The man nodded.