Meanwhile I made of my hair a neat queue and tied it; then put on my buckskin vest with flaps, and my short hunting-shirt over it.
"Are you going to fish?" asked Silver Heels, enviously.
"If Sir William does," said I. "He sent me a present from Castle Cumberland last night. I doubt not that it may be a new fish-rod for salmon."
Presently she went away to be dressed by Betty, and I hastened down the stairs, impatient to find Mr. Duncan and have my present; nay, so fast and blindly did I speed that, swinging around the balustrade, I plumped clean into Sir William, coming up.
"What's to do! What's to do!" he exclaimed, testily. "Is there no gout in the world, then, wooden feet!"
"Oh, Sir William! My present from Castle Cumberland!" I stammered. "Is it a salmon-rod?"
"Now the wraith of old Isaac pinch ye!" said Sir William, half laughing, half angry. "What the devil have I to do with your presents and your fish-rods? Presents! Gad! It's a new algebra you need!"
"Did I?" said Sir William, with a twinkle in his eyes. "So I did, lad; so I did! Well, perhaps it is not an algebra book after all."
"Then let us go to Mr. Duncan and get it now," I replied, promptly.
"You may not want my present when you see it," argued Sir William, who did ever enjoy to plague those whom he loved best.
But I pulled him by the hand, and he pretended to go with reluctance and many misgivings.
At the door of the north block-house, Mr. Duncan rendered Sir William the officer's salute, which Sir William returned.
"Mr. Duncan," said he, "have you knowledge hereabouts of a certain present sent in your care for Mr. Cardigan here?"
"Now that you mention it, sir," replied Mr. Duncan, gravely, "I do dimly recall something of the sort."
"Was it not a school-book?" inquired Sir William.
"It was a parcel," replied Mr. Duncan, dubiously; "belike it hid a dozen good stout Latin books, sir."
I endured their plaguing with rising excitement. What could my present be?
"Take him in, Mr. Duncan," said Sir William at last. "And," to me, "remember, sir, that you forget not your manners when you return to me, for I shall await you here at the door."
Cramping with curiosity, I followed Mr. Duncan into his own private chamber, which connected with the guard-room. But I saw no parcels anywhere; in fact, there was nothing to be noticed save an officer's valise at the foot of Mr. Duncan's bed.