"'Who made you captain?'
"'The War Minister.'
"'For deeds of valour?'
"'During the siege of Vienna I twice carried despatches through the besieging camp from the Hungarian Government to General Bem.'"
Here I intervened: "That is not true; I know very well through whom the Hungarian Government got those despatches."
"Anyhow, my friend boasted of it as his own deed," said Bessy; after which she resumed her narration.
"'Good!' said the General; 'now give me the despatch.'
"The information was written in a secret cipher.
"'I must decipher this first. There will be a meeting to-night of the Committee of National Defence. Early to-morrow morning you will appear before me. Now go to the "White Horse." Speak to nobody. Keep your room!'
"Nevertheless, an hour afterwards he sent for me.