seemed unable to articulate at all, and the hue of his countenance deepened through successive shades till it finally arrived at a congested purple. He hammered on his desk with his fist. [Pg 107] [Pg 107] "I will not have my valuable time wasted in this way!" he roared. "Bring these men before me to-morrow, sergeant-major, and if I can't get a coherent account of them from some one, there'll be trouble. Incompetent fools!" He puffed passionately out of the orderly-room and slammed the door, leaving it uncertain whether his last remark was addressed only to Alf and Bill, or whether it was not rather intended to include the adjutant, the R.S.M., the sergeant of the guard and the impassive privates acting as prisoners' escort. He was to be heard faintly outside in unkind criticism of the sentry's method of presenting arms. Then there was silence, and a general feeling as though the sun had come out. "Prisoners and escort," began the R.S.M. "Right-TURN! Quick...." TURN "Wait, sergeant-major," said Captain Sandeman quietly. "I want to ask these men a question or two. Send the escort off." Bill's heart sank. Captain Sandeman had lost the air of passive indifference which he wore as protective armor in the presence of Colonel Watts. He looked horribly intelligent and wide-awake. "Now, listen to me," he said. "I don't understand your case at all. Are you rejoining from hospital?" "No, sir. From the front. Transferred, sir." "But why? And where are your papers?" "Didn't 'ave no papers, sir. We was just told[Pg 108] to report 'ere. The papers is comin' by post, I think, sir." [Pg 108] "Um. Which is your battalion, and company?" "The fifth, sir—'C' Comp'ny." Bill was beginning to realize that Eustace had, in his muddle-headed way, landed them in a very tight corner. He would have lied had he dared; but he knew that there must be scores of men serving now with the Reserve who had known both himself and Alf at the front.
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