"Miss Helen, I got this knife in—that is, this knife belongs to—"
"Wait a moment," interrupted Helen. "Let me see it.... Yes, it's the same. I gave my father this knife on his birthday four years ago. I had the carving done at Vantine's. How long have you had it?"
"Miss Helen, I have had it long before I entered your father's service. I—"
"Yes, I know; but just how long have you had it, Hayward?"
"Well, Miss Helen, to be accurate, I've had it three years and—four months."
"Hayward, were you ever in the army—the cavalry—the 10th Cavalry?"
"Yes, Miss Helen."
"You were in the battle of Valencia?"
"Yes, Miss Helen."
"You took this knife from an officer whose life you had saved, didn't you?"