"Well, you see, Colonel sent for me, and we had a talk, man to man; Colonel’s a white man, that’s what he is. As a matter of fact, I’ve done a bit of spouting this evening. But the chaps didn’t want much talking to; they’re all right. Verdict unanimous this time. To cut it short, that promise of yours is off. The chaps say they’re quite satisfied with their job. Not one of ’em wants to go back to the works until they’ve seen the Kaiser get his deserts. And Colonel is writing home to say he wants commissions for you in the Rutlands." "You mean it, Ginger?" "That’s just what I do mean. When I come back, you’ll be officers. There’s just one thing. If I should happen at first to forget to salute----" "Oh, rot, man!" cried Harry. "You’re a good sort." "You’ll thank them all for us?" said Kenneth. "I’m afraid we shan’t be allowed to stay with the Rutlands, though. Army rules are against it. But we’ll see. Now, come and have some supper. Bonnard will give us something to celebrate the occasion." "Can’t," said Ginger. "I’m under orders to start in half an hour. Going back with a batch of crocks. It’s good-bye. But I hope I’ll see you again." He shook hands with them warmly. They were all moved. Each felt that in the chances of war they might never meet again. But, in the British way, they hid their feelings. Only as Ginger went out he turned in the doorway and said: "Mind you keep your heads down in the trenches." Kenneth and Harry were silent for a while as they ate their supper. "Well, old boy?" said Harry presently. "Yes. It’s good, isn’t it?" "The governor will be happy.... I say, Ken!" "Well!" "I can’t make you out. You remember when I met you at Kishimaru’s. Well, you seemed jolly casual--not a bit keen. Yet it was you who set the ball rolling at the works, and you’ve been keen enough since." "Oh well!" was Kenneth’s indefinite response. "Really, I couldn’t help thinking you were hanging back. It was because you’d been seedy, I suppose." "Perhaps." "What was wrong with you? German measles?" "Not so unpatriotic, my son. A trifle run down, that’s all." "Wanted a holiday, I suppose. The war scrapped holidays for most people." "I daresay." "Hang it all! What’s the mystery? What do you mean by ’daresay’ and ’perhaps’ and so on and so forth? What had you been doing?" "You’re a persistent wretch, Randy. Well, I don’t mind telling you now. I was in Cologne when war was declared, and I had a pretty strenuous time for a fortnight." And he proceeded to outline the adventures which the present writer has related elsewhere. "Well I’m jiggered!" exclaimed Harry. "Why on earth didn’t you tell me?" "Well, you see, you as good as told me I was slacking." "What’s that to do with it? All the more reason to open up." "Give me a cigarette, old chap; it’s all right now." A bugle called them to their feet. They flung on their equipment and hurried out. The battalion was assembling in the market place.