and her insolent grey eyes took me aback more than her saucy words.

“Doubtless,” I said. “you have not recognized in me the officer who was at some slight pains to be of service — — ”

“What is it you desire?” said she, so rudely that I felt my face burn hot.

“See here, my lass,” said I sharply, “you seem to misunderstand my errand here.”

“And am like to,” said she, “unless you make your errand short and plainer — though I have learned that the errands which bring such men as you to me are not too easily misunderstood.”

“Such men as I — — ”