Nor did Peter go to the War Office until the General who was above the General who was above the General that Phil had first seen also had heard from several quarters about the importance of Peter Smithers. The Great One at the War Office was most cordial, and Peter talked to him as if he were used to meeting Great Ones. Both were leaders and organisers of men. "I think there will be no difficulty," said the Great One. "We'll make a special case of it on account of his having to remain a long time at a base hospital in France. I'd heard about that young man before. Fine chap! Hope he'll pull through. A relative of yours?" "Nephew!" Peter replied truthfully. Hadn't he formally adopted himself as Phil's uncle? CHAPTER XXXI A THOUGHT FOR HELEN "Bricktop!" "Peter!" They took a grappling hold of each other, as if about to engage in a wrestling match to prove which was the more jubilant over this meeting; for Peter was a man after Bricktop's own heart and Bricktop after Peter's. "You're red-headed as ever!" said Peter. "What did you expect? That I'd dip my locks in a dye-barrel? Needed all the red I had and some more to deal with some of the stick-in-the-muds, who would not believe that I am a surgeon. Say, but you're good for sore eyes and nostalgia!" "Think of you being over here and operating on Phil!" Peter held William Smith, D.D.S., off at arm's length in respectful admiration. "If you hadn't sent me that twenty thousand I wouldn't have had the equipment for the job," Bricktop replied. "You don't mean that that twenty thousand--maybe it's saved Phil!" "Exactly what I do mean!" "Think of that!" Peter swallowed hard and blinked. "But don't you tell him about it--not yet. Here I am talking, when there is somebody outside that----" He did not finish his sentence, but drew Bricktop out of his office into the reception-room, where Dr. and Mrs. Sanford were waiting. "I don't need any introduction. You're his father and mother!" Bricktop exclaimed. "Yes, we are here, thanks to Peter," said Mrs. Sanford. "He has a wonderful way of managing things." "Peter was born to manage things!" said Bricktop. "He gave me my start." "Just as Dr. Sanford's father gave me mine. And we are here because Phil's is a special case which cannot be moved over to England. Merely had to make the authorities see the light. But it seems to me, Bricktop, you and I are doing a lot of gassing, when what we want is to see Phil. How is he getting on?" Peter had hesitated to put that question, thinking of what this day meant to the Sanfords. Bricktop looked into the honest, serene eyes of the old pair and seeing that they were not afraid of it, told the truth. "In two or three days I'll come to the big test," he said. "If that operation succeeds, the rest will be easy." Then a soft voice, which had the very melody of cheer, added: "And it will succeed!"