Jack smiled, and then sprang up as Giles entered with a dish that filled the room with a very savoury odour.
"What's this?" said Jack, sniffing. "Roast hare, by all that's glorious! Giles, you're a wonder."
"'Twas Pepito, sir," said Giles. "The young varmint went out before 'twas light this morning and snared the beast for your breakfast, sir. I allow he makes himself useful sometimes."
Pepito was grinning with pleasure, and Jack without ado devoted himself to his meal.
"By the way," he said presently, "have you seen anything of those two fellows I left with the wagon?"
A broad smile broke over Giles's ruddy face.
"They was brought in yesterday, sir, under guard, and locked up in the guard-room. They was mad, sir, both on 'em, but Corporal Wilkes the worst. He made a few remarks, sir—" and here Giles gave vent to his loud guffaw, and instantly straightened his face to its usual stolid impassivity.
"Are they still locked up?" asked Jack.
"No, sir. Captain Stovin ordered 'em to be released when they'd had about two hours of it."
"Go and fetch them."