Mr.Blood tricked out in all this splendour--indulging therein his natural taste--his face carefully shaven, his hair as carefully dressed, seemed transformed into a younger man.

The fact is he looked no more than the thirty-three years he counted to his age.
"Peter Blood!" It was an ejaculation of amazement.

Satisfaction followed swiftly.

"Was it you, then... ?" "Myself it was--myself and these, my good friends and yours." Mr.Blood tossed back the fine lace from his wrist, to wave a hand towards the file of men standing to attention there.
The Colonel looked more closely.

"Gad's my life!" he crowed on a note of foolish jubilation.