Not more than a week after the arrival of the Hussars his ears were assailed by the shout of one schoolboy to another in the street below.
'Have 'ee heard this about the Hussars?
They are haunted! Yes--a ghost troubles 'em; he has followed 'em about the world for years.' A haunted regiment: that was a new idea for either invalid or stalwart.
The listener in the oriel came to the conclusion that there were some lively characters among the -- -th Hussars.
He made Captain Maumbry's acquaintance in an informal manner at an afternoon tea to which he went in a wheeled chair--one of the very rare outings that the state of his health permitted.

Maumbry showed himself to be a handsome man of twenty-eight or thirty, with an attractive hint of wickedness in his manner that was sure to make him adorable with good young women.

The large dark eyes that lit his pale face expressed this wickedness strongly, though such was the adaptability of their rays that one could think they might have expressed sadness or seriousness just as readily, if he had had a mind for such.
An old and deaf lady who was present asked Captain Maumbry bluntly: 'What's this we hear about you?
They say your regiment is haunted.' The Captain's face assumed an aspect of grave, even sad, concern.

'Yes,' he replied, 'it is too true.' Some younger ladies smiled till they saw how serious he looked, when they looked serious likewise.
'Really ?' said the old lady.
'Yes.

We naturally don't wish to say much about it.' 'No, no; of course not.