By this time the stranger had mounted Jack's horse, and was preparing to ride off.
"By the way," he said, "to what address shall I return the horse?—a pretty animal, begad!"
"I'm quartered at a worthy alderman's in the Calle de Moros—El Regidor Don Perez Gerrion; my name's Lumsden."
"Lumsden!" repeated the stranger with a start, letting the reins fall on the horse's neck.
"Yes," said Jack, looking up in surprise. "Why?"
"Oh! Excuse me now. I have my despatches to deliver, and then I will call on you at the regidor's. I have a communication, probably, to make to you. Au revoir!"
With a wave of the hand he galloped off, leaving Jack to tramp along behind him, in some wonderment as to what communication a despatch-rider could have to make to a subaltern of the 95th.
CHAPTER II
Some Introductions
The Grampus—A Turn with the Foils—An Interruption—Enter a Regidor—Flour and Water—A Soft Answer—Pepito—Biographical—Captain O'Hare—Mr. Vaughan is announced