“Must be some fire for all the smoke that’s about,” and then Alma came hastily in, her face white and set, her eyes painful in their anxious craving. “Is he dead?” she asked quickly, and the Matron slipped quietly out. “No, no, my dear!” said Uncle Tony, gripping her trembling hand firmly. “Nor, so far as we know, even wounded. But in the list I have just happened to see up yonder, his name is among the missing. And I did not want you to come on it suddenly in the paper, and think it worse than it is.” “Thank God!” she said quietly, with a sigh of relief, and drew her hand across her eyes as though wiping away a ghastly vision. “That is all you know?” she asked with a searching look. And if the Colonel had been breaking worse news by gentle steps he would have had a very bad time. “That is all that is known by anyone, my dear. As soon as we hear more you shall know it. It may be that he will be safer as a prisoner, wherever he is, than if he were in the thick of it.” “He would sooner be in the thick of it,” she said, with a decided shake of the head. “He will be terribly put out at being shelved so soon. I have put down my name for the next draft. I was hoping we might perhaps come across one another.” “One hundred to one against it, I should say. There will be so many hospitals and you might be sent anywhere.” “I’d have felt nearer him anyway. But if he’s.... Where would they be likely to send him?” “Away into some remote part of Germany, most likely. You think you’ll go? If any further news comes you would get it quicker here than out there.” “They are needing all the help they can get. I think it is my duty to go, Uncle.” “Very well, my dear. Go, and God bless you! And bring you back safe to us. We shall miss you all. Noel and young MacLean will be in the London Scottish to-morrow, I expect. And Ray----” “Any news of those two?” “Not a word. I’m expecting a telegram any minute from Southampton or Folkestone or Newhaven, saying they’ve just got across and will be up in a couple of hours. And as soon as Ray gets back he’ll join his battalion of course. We’ll have no one left but the two girls.” “They’ll keep you lively.” “We shall miss you all. But it wouldn’t be in any of our thoughts to stand between any of you and what seems to you your duty.” “Things are not going well with us from all accounts. Are they really as bad as some of the papers seem to make out?” “They have been too strong for us so far. They’ve simply rolled us back by weight of numbers. But they haven’t rolled over us, and their losses must have been terrible. I have great faith in French and Kitchener. Safe men both. And the Frenchman, Joffre, seems a good steady sort too. No froth about him and France believes in him. The tide will turn, you’ll see.” And presently he took his leave, bidding her keep her heart up and promising to send her instantly any further news he could get of Con. And then he went on home to break it gently to Con’s mother also.