"Near enough anyhow," I said, as a piece flew shrieking past close overhead. "Are you the 'movie' man? I'm pleased to meet you," he said. "Did you get me in that last scene?" "Yes," I said. "Proofs ready to-morrow." And with a laugh I hurried down the road. CHAPTER XIX ALONG THE WESTERN FRONT WITH THE KING His Majesty's Arrival at Boulogne--At G.H.Q.--General ----'s Appreciation--The King on the Battlefield of Fricourt--Within Range of the Enemy's Guns--His Majesty's Joke Outside a German Dug-out--His Memento from a Hero's Grave--His Visit to a Casualty Clearing Station--The King and the Puppy--Once in Disgrace--Now a Hospital Mascot. That evening I reported at headquarters. "Well, Malins," said Colonel ----, "I have a special job for you. Will you be on the quay at Boulogne to-morrow morning by twelve o'clock? Captain ---- is going down; he will make all arrangements for you there; he will also tell you who it is that's coming. Start at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. It is very important; so don't fail to be there." Leaving the Colonel I met Captain ---- outside. "Who's coming?" I asked. "Don't know," he said. "Tell you to-morrow." "Is it the King?" I asked. "Well," he said, "as a matter of fact it is. He arrives to-morrow. I shall have the full programme in the morning, and will give you a copy." What a film! My first thought was whether he would visit the battlefield. What scenes I conjured up in my imagination. To see Britain's King on the battlefield with his troops; to see him inspecting the ground; to see him in trenches lately captured from the Germans. My imagination began to run away with me. No, I thought, it will be just the ordinary reviews and reception. But I was wrong. The scenes that I had pictured to myself I was soon to witness. On the morrow the Captain, the still picture man and myself, left G.H.Q. for Boulogne. Arriving at the quay I looked around for any signs of preparation, but the whole place was as usual. The Captain called at the A.M.L.O. "Do you know what time the King is due?" he asked. The A.M.L.O. in tones of amazement ejaculated a long-drawn-out "What; never heard of his coming." "Well, he is," said the officer. "He's arriving at midday." "I was never informed," said the other. "I will ring up the M.L.O." He did so, and after a short time the information came through. "The King will not arrive to-day; he will be here to-morrow at 9 a.m. His sailing was altered at the last moment." That night I turned in at the Hôtel Folkestone, making arrangements for my car to take me and my apparatus to the quay at 8.30 in the morning. The morning fortunately was beautifully bright. I sincerely hoped it would continue. What excellent quality it promised in the films. I compared it with the weather during the last visit to France of the late Lord Kitchener; unfortunately it rained all the time.