"Where am I?" he asked, feebly.
"In the house of Madame de Vaudrey," said that lady.
"How far from where I was shot?"
"Only a few miles," replied the aide-de-camp.
"Then someone must ride to Breda for help, and take my despatches. They must be at the Hague to-night."
"I will write a note to the commandant," said the aide-de-camp, "and send one of the troopers."
"No, no, lieutenant, you must ride yourself. I can't trust the despatches to a trooper."
"But I do not care to leave you, general."
"It is my wish. The enemy can only capture me, but they may do unheard-of mischief around. Delay no longer: ride fast."
The exertion of talking was too much for him, and he swooned again. Loth as he was to go, the aide-de-camp could not ignore the general's express instructions. Before leaving he took Harry aside and asked him to consider himself in command of the troopers.