Tearing it open, he said, with a jubilant note in his voice:
"First blood, gentlemen! The campaign has opened at last. General Stewart has captured fifty of Franceschi's chasseurs and seventy of Lefebvre's infantry at Rueda, and—why, what's this? Lieutenant Lumsden missing!"
He looked across the room at Jack, who had now recovered, and was sitting, half-asleep, with his back to the wall.
"You're Mr. Lumsden, surely?" he said.
"Yes, sir."
"I thought I could not be mistaken. How is it you are reported missing in the second despatch?"
"I was missing when the courier left, sir. I overtook him on the road."
"I see. You're dead beat, I'm afraid, but I should be glad to hear how you came by this despatch of yours, if you can manage to keep awake for a few minutes."
Jack briefly gave an account of the circumstances.
"You did very well, uncommonly well, Mr. Lumsden," said Sir John when he had concluded. "Colborne, be good enough to send someone to see Mr. Lumsden safely to the quarters of the 95th. Mr. Lumsden, you will hear from me to-morrow."