* * * * * * * * * * *
As soon as the Osprey was paid off, and he had bade farewell to his mess-mates, Creggan, accompanied by his dearest friend the Ugly Duckling, took train for Torquay.
He did not even telegraph to say he was coming. The two arm in arm, after paying off the hansom they had chartered, sauntered up the terraced garden and rang the great hall bell.
Ah! but Matty herself had been watching. A lovely girl she was now of sweet seventeen.
The meeting of the lovers, for lovers I now may call them, was heartfelt and cordial; but Creggan did not venture to kiss her.
Then she spied the empty sleeve, and, girl-like, burst into tears.
"Ah, never mind, dear!" said Creggan soothingly. "See what it has brought me—honour and glory, and the Victoria Cross."
"Oh, Creggan, Creggan," cried Matty, "the poor arm was worth a thousand Victoria Crosses!"
"Oh, it wasn't for that I got the Cross! But how do you come to be here, Matty?"
"Oh, I've been living here for months. Just keeping your dear mother company."