Sackville noticed it at once.
"Why do you not salute, sir ?" he said, raising his head, and for the first time looking at the duke's aide-de-camp.
"This is the twelfth time, sir, that I have brought despatches from the Duke of Brunswick.

Upon each occasion I have made the military salute.

By the regulations of the army, I believe that the superior officer is as much bound to return a salute as the inferior officer is to render it.

As you have not chosen, upon any one of those twelve occasions, to return my salute, I see no reason why I should continue to give it." Sackville looked at him as he shouted in English, with astonishment and rage: "And who the devil are you ?" "I am Major Fergus Drummond, a companion of the order of the Black Eagle, and an aide-de-camp of the King of Prussia." "The deuce you are!" Sackville said insolently.

"I did not know that the King of Prussia promoted lads to be majors, chose them for his aides-de-camp, and made them companions of his order." "Then, sir, you know it now," Fergus said quietly; "and for an explanation of my rank, I beg to refer you to the Duke of Brunswick; who will, I doubt not, be not unwilling to explain the matter to you." "I shall report your insolence to the duke, at any rate, sir.