men he had killed or how terrible he was in action, his rugged face white with battle lust, he shivered away from ridicule at the hands of the lieutenant. In his own way he respected the boy, never giving a thought that his officer was some twenty-three years his junior.

The lieutenant slid into his shirt and was about to speak when the smallest whisper of a challenge sounded some two hundred yards away. Instantly the clearing was deserted, all men instinctively taking cover from which they could shoot with the smallest loss of life and the greatest damage to the foe. There had been a note of anxiety in that challenge.

The lieutenant, pistol in hand, stood with widespread boots, playing intelligent eyes through the misty woods. A bird call sounded and the camp began to relax, men coming back to their fires and again addressing their synthetic tea.

After a little, as the call had indicated, an English officer strode through the underbrush, looked about and then approached the lieutenant. Although a captain, he was dressed in no manner to indicate his outfit. Like the lieutenant, he had amalgamated the uniforms of some four services into an outfit which was at least capable of keeping out the wet.

"Fourth Brigade?" he questioned.

"Right," said the lieutenant. "Hello, Malcolm."

The captain looked more closely and then smiled and shook the extended hand. "Well, well! I never expected to find you, much less get to you. By the guns, fellow, did you know these ridges are alive with Russians?"

"I suspected so," said the lieutenant. "We've been waiting three days for them."

Malcolm started. "But ... but here you are, in a death trap!" He covered his astonishment. "Well! I can't presume to advise a brigade commander in the field."

"You've come from G.H.Q.?"

"From General Victor, yes. I had the devil's own time getting to you and then finding you. I say, old boy, those Russians—"

"How is General Victor?"

"Between us, he's in a funk. Ever since the British Communist Party took over London and executed Carlson, Victor hasn't slept very well."

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