"It is I in the flesh, colonel, sound and hearty."
"Why, my dear lad," Munro exclaimed, holding out his hand, "we
thought you had fallen at the sack of New Brandenburg. Innes and
Lumsden were believed to be the only ones who had escaped."
"I have come through it, nevertheless," Malcolm said; "but it is
a long story, colonel, and I would ask you first if the king has
learned what Tilly is doing."
"No, he has received no news whatever of him since he heard of the
affair at New Brandenburg, and is most anxious lest he should fall
upon the army at Frankfort while we are away. Do you know aught
about him?"
"Tilly marched west from New Brandenburg," Malcolm said, "and is
now besieging Magdeburg."
"This is news indeed," Munro said; "you must come with me at once
to the king."
Malcolm followed Colonel Munro to the royal tent, which was but a
few hundred yards away. Gustavus had just returned after visiting
the advanced lines round the city. On being told that Colonel Munro
wished to speak to him on important business, he at once came to
the entrance of his tent.
"Allow me to present to you, sire, Malcolm Graheme, a very gallant
young officer of my regiment. He was at New Brandenburg, and I
deemed that he had fallen there; how he escaped I have not yet had
time to learn, seeing that he has but now ridden into the camp; but
as he is bearer of news of the whereabouts of Tilly and his army,
I thought it best to bring him immediately to you.
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