"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 to report 'ere. The papers is comin' by post, I think, sir." "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. "That's Captain Richards' company, isn't it?" "Yessir. But the Captain went away on a course yesterday, sir, and Lieutenant Donaldson is in command now." "_Yesterday?_ How d'you know that?" Bill had seen his slip as soon as he made it. "I 'eard 'e was goin' before I left, sir," he answered readily. "Um. And you don't know why you've been sent back?" "No, sir." Captain Sandeman became suddenly stern. "There is something very irregular about the whole business," he said. "I don't see how you can possibly have got across the Channel in any legitimate way without papers. The whole thing looks most fishy, and it seems to me that you two men are asking for very serious trouble. Now, I warn you, I give you an opportunity now of telling me all about it; but if you persist in that story about being transferred without any papers, I'll have to keep you safe here till I can find out the truth from Mr. Donaldson. Now, what have you to say?" "Nothing, sir," said Bill quickly. For one moment he was afraid that Alf was going to lose his head and tell the incredible truth; he shot a glance of warning at his mate, who subsided; and the adjutant waited in vain for an answer to his appeal. "Very well," he said. "Put 'em in the cells, sergeant-major." The two unfortunates were accordingly marched away and were once more handed over to the sergeant of the guard. "Cells for these two beauties, an' keep 'em safe, or it'll be worse for you. Deserters they look like. It's a court-martial case." Alf quaked at this realization of his worse fears, while even Bill looked concerned. "I've on'y one cell, sir," said the sergeant of the guard. "Very well. Shove 'em in together. Can't be helped." The R.S.M. went off. The instant the key turned on the two men, Alf produced the Button and rubbed it. "What wouldst thou have?" began Eustace, his deep voice reverberating round the little cell. "I am...." "Stop it--they'll 'ear you!" "They 'ave 'eard 'im," whispered Bill. "Quick, Alf." The sergeant, who had heard the rumbling voice, was already fumbling with the stiff lock. "Take us away," whispered Alf in trembling tones. "Anywhere out of 'ere. QUICK!" Before the sergeant had opened the door the whole camp had faded from their view, and the two found themselves in a desolate waste, faced by a very puzzled and indignant djinn.