"Now go," he said, "and remember, be very careful in future. You're both due for your month's leave in a short time, and it would be a pity to spoil it. That's all." As the two saluted and shambled out their officer gave a rueful laugh. "Now, I'd give a good deal," he said to himself, "to know just exactly what I was talking about just now, and what they thought I meant." * * * * * * * "What are we goin' to do now, Bill?" asked Alf miserably, as soon as they had left the company commander's presence. "Do?" said Bill, who had recovered his balance to some extent. "Why, nothin'. What d'you want to do?" "Well, it's all up, ain't it, now 'e knows all about it?" "Rats!" said Bill contemptuously. "'Ow can 'e know all about it? I told you before that Don's no fool, but 'e ain't such a bloomin' conjurer as all that. 'E's just noticed that there's something funny about me an' you, that's all; an' 'e's got both eyes wide open now waitin' for next time. Well, there ain't got to be no next time, that's all." "You mean I'll 'ave to throw the Button away?" "_What!_ Throw it away? You're barmy." Bill glared at his pal. "Well, what do I do?" "I tell yer. Do nothing." "Nothing at all? Keep the Button, an' ..." "O' course you keep the Button, you blinkin' idjit. Does Don know anything about yer blinkin' Button? It's my belief Don don't know a thing--'e's just bluffin' us. But all you 'ave to do is to leave the Button alone till we get our leave. No more Eustace till we're safe 'ome; but if you chuck the Button away, Alf 'Iggins, I'll 'arf kill you. But I'd give a good bit, I would, to know 'ow much Donaldson really knows." Next day the news came through that the brigade was not after all to be sent to another part of the front; instead, it moved up once more for a tour of duty in the well-known sector. The attention of both sides at this time was concentrated on the great battle going on at Arras, and the remainder of the front was quiet but watchful. On the brigade's frontage nothing more strenuous happened than a continuous but not very intense bombardment, and though the division on their right made a trench-raid, the Middlesex Fusiliers were not called upon for any exciting work. During all this period Alf and Bill were as conspicuous by their presence among their mates as they had formerly been by their absence. Whenever wiring-parties and similar delights were required, their names were usually the first on Sergeant Lees' list, while fatigues of every kind became to them a hobby.