The wanderers were mightily astonished at the tale of the last month’s happenings. They rejoiced at Alma’s marriage, but were greatly disturbed at Con’s disappearance. Having as yet been told nothing of the savage brutalities in vogue among the Germans, they were, however, hopeful that he would turn up again all right in time. “It is terrible for Alma, all the same. We must go up and see her, as soon as possible, Ray.” “We’ll go to-morrow, and give her a surprise.” A foretouch of future shadows fell on them when they heard of Noel and Gregor MacLean having joined the London Scottish. “What about the First Battalion, sir?” Ray asked at once. “Mobilised for Foreign Service, my boy.” “Where are they?--Head-Quarters?” “Watford.” “There’ll be some papers waiting here for me, I suppose.” “You’ll find them all in your room.” “I must go up to-morrow first thing. Did you tell them why I hadn’t answered, sir?” “Yes, I called at Head-Quarters and saw Colonel Malcolm. He said it would be all right, and he would keep your place open as long as possible. They’ll be glad to see you, even if you’re a bit late.” “You really feel you must go, Ray?” asked Mrs Dare anxiously, full of thought for Lois and remembering Con. “Yes, mother dear. I must go. We have talked it all out, and Lois feels as I do about it. It is evident that we’re going to need every man we can put into the field, and if there are any shirkers they ought to be shot.” “It will be hard to part with him,” said Lois bravely. “But he cannot stop when all the rest are going.” Mrs Dare picked up her knitting and went quietly on with her work. Her heart was overfull. This monster of War was taking them one by one. What if none of them ever came back? What terrible gaps it would make in their lives! God help them all! The Colonel’s hand dropped gently on Lois’s and patted it softly in token of his high approval. And presently Ray slipped away to look over his equipment and pack his kit. To make sure that everything was in order he put on his uniform, and when he went down to them again it was as First Lieutenant Luard of G Company of the London Scottish, and very fine and large he looked as he came striding into the room. “I think everything’s all right,” he said. “If anyone sees anything amissing, kindly mention it.” And Lois looked on him with shining eyes and a flush of pride in her face. But in her heart she was saying, “He is splendid, splendid,--but suppose it only leads to his death.” Such thoughts, however, were for private consumption only, and her face was all in order as she commented with quiet approval on this detail and that, and asked in matronly fashion if he was sure all his buttons were stitched on tight. She liked him so much in his fine feathers that he consented to keep them on. “For,” she said to herself, “to-morrow he will be gone and I would like to think of him like that.”