"A jolly sensible thing to do," was the General's response. "Still, we have spotted him, and, what is more, the biter's bitten; not only will he fail to carry back the information he has gained, to the enemy, but his papers reveal their intentions, and so you have rendered us a great service." A little later on, the man who had called himself Rivers, but whose real name, according to his papers, was Werter, was shot. "That Nancarrow is a useful man," said Colonel Sapsworth to the General, not long after, when they were discussing the situation. "He certainly seems to have behaved very well," was the General's response. "I have had my eye upon him for weeks," said the Colonel. "From the first time I saw him, I felt he had the makings of a good soldier, and I gave special instructions about him. Of course, I had to be careful, and I saw to it that he was tested in various ways; but he's as plucky as they make 'em. Of course, it was a mad thing to do to creep out into the open, as he did, and bring back Trevanion, but it was a fine thing all the same." "He seems quite intelligent too," said the General. "Yes, the way he nabbed that German was just fine; he had very little data upon which to go, and it seems that this man Werter has been on the loose for weeks. Nancarrow, however, spotted him, and now he will not do any more spying. If Nancarrow doesn't get killed, he will be of great service to us." "We'll give him every chance," was the General's reply, "and if what you have told me is a true indication of his quality, he shall not lack for opportunity." This was probably why, a few days later, Bob was placed in command of a number of men to do outpost duty in the direction of the enemies' lines. For three days the English had been preparing for an attack which they hoped might be of considerable importance, but it was vital to the fulfilment of their plans that they should not be in any way surprised before they were ready. It was well known that the Germans were in strong force close by, and that any false step might prove disastrous. It was late in the evening when Bob and the men placed under his command found themselves at the post which had been allotted to them. All round them was wooded country, which made observation difficult, but which also sheltered them from the enemies' fire. "Anything may happen here, sir," said a young non-commissioned officer to Bob. "Still things seem pretty quiet; we may as well feed now." Bob was on good terms with his men, and while he never slackened discipline in the slightest degree, he tried to be friendly with all. He ate the same food and partook of the same danger--never in any degree commanding them to do what he himself shirked. The little meal was nearly over, and Bob was taking his last drink of tea out of a tin can, when he caught a sound which brought him quickly to his feet.