Chapter I: Front Matter

THE WORKS OF STANLEY J. WEYMAN

VOL. XX

THE WILD GEESE

Thin Paper Edition of

Stanley J. Weyman's Novels

(Author's Complete Edition)

In 20 Volumes Arranged Chronologically With an Introduction in the First Volume by Mr. Weyman

In clear type and handy size To range with Henry Seton Merriman's Novels

Fcap. 8vo, Gilt Top, in Cloth and Leather

Vol. 1. The House of the Wolf. " 2. The New Rector. " 3. The Story of Francis Cludde. " 4. A Gentleman of France. " 5. The Man in Black. " 6. Under the Red Robe. " 7. My Lady Rotha. " 8. Memoirs of a Minister of France. " 9. The Red Cockade. " 10. Shrewsbury. Vol. 11. The Castle Inn. " 12. Sophia. " 13. Count Hannibal. " 14. In Kings' Byways. " 15. The Long Night. " 16. The Abbess of Vlaye. " 17. Starvecrow Farm. " 18. Chippinge. " 19. Laid up in Lavender. " 20. The Wild Geese.

LONDON: SMITH, ELDER & CO. and LONGMANS GREEN & CO.

THE WILD GEESE

BY

STANLEY J. WEYMAN

LONDON: SMITH, ELDER & CO. (_For the United Kingdom_) IN CONJUNCTION WITH CASSELL AND CO., LTD.; HODDER AND STOUGHTON; METHUEN AND CO., WARD, LOCK AND CO., AND LONGMANS GREEN & CO. (_For the British Possessions and Foreign Countries_) 1911

1908 July 1st Edition
" Aug. 2nd Impression
" Oct. 3rd Impression
1910 July 4th Impression
" Nov. 5th Impression
1911 Mar. 6d. Edition
" Oct. 6th (Author's Complete Edition)

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. ON BOARD THE "CORMORANT" SLOOP 1

II. MORRISTOWN 15

III. A SCION OF KINGS 27

IV. "STOP THIEF!" 42

V. THE MESS-ROOM AT TRALEE 57

VI. THE MAÎTRE D'ARMES 72

VII. BARGAINING 90

VIII. AN AFTER-DINNER GAME 103

IX. EARLY RISERS 119

X. A COUNCIL OF WAR 136

XI. A MESSAGE FOR THE YOUNG MASTER 154

XII. THE SEA MIST 171

XIII. A SLIP 187

XIV. THE COLONEL'S TERMS 202

XV. FEMINA FURENS 218

XVI. THE MARPLOT 235

XVII. THE LIMIT 251

XVIII. A COUNTERPLOT 268

XIX. PEINE FORTE ET DURE 285

XX. AN UNWELCOME VISITOR 301

XXI. THE KEY 320

XXII. THE SCENE IN THE PASSAGE 336

XXIII. BEHIND THE YEWS 350

XXIV. THE PITCHER AT THE WELL 368

XXV. PEACE 378