A few minutes later we were in a taxi, on our way to Paddington, and a few hours later we arrived at Bolivick. We had barely alighted from the conveyance when Edgecumbe gave a start. 'Look,' he said, 'both Springfield and St. Mabyn are there.' 'Yes,' I replied lightly, 'and Lorna too. Don't you see her in her nurse's uniform?' His face was set and rigid as the greetings took place; but he had evidently put a strong check upon himself, and spoke naturally. 'Glad to see you, Luscombe,' cried Sir Thomas, 'and you too, Major Edgecumbe. Let me congratulate you on your wonderful career. It's almost like a fairy story!' 'Let me add my congratulations,' cried Springfield. 'I pay my tribute, not only to the soldier, but to the orator.' I could not fail to detect the sneer in his voice, even although he seemed to speak heartily. A copy of _The Times_ was lying on the lawn, and I imagined that Edgecumbe's speech had been read and discussed. 'We shall be quite a party to dinner to-night,' said Sir Thomas to me presently. 'Of course you must expect scanty fare, as we are carrying out the rationing order to the very letter. But it's an important occasion all the same. Lord Carbis is coming by the next train. Please don't say anything about it. No one knows but my wife and myself. I want to give a surprise to both Lorna and Springfield.' My heart became as heavy as lead, for I knew what he had in his mind, and I looked towards Edgecumbe, wondering if he had heard anything. It was evident he had heard nothing, however; he was talking to Norah Blackwater, who was again a visitor to Bolivick. 'By the way,' went on Sir Thomas, 'that fellow Edgecumbe has developed wonderfully, hasn't he? Of course what he said last night was so much nonsense. I quite agree that it's very sad about--that--is--some of the things he talked about, but as to the rest,--it was moonshine.' 'You wouldn't have said so if you'd been there, Sir Thomas,' I ventured. 'Something's going to happen, Luscombe,' Edgecumbe said to me as presently we found our way to our rooms. 'Why do you say so?' 'I don't know. But there is. It's in the air we breathe. I know I'm right.' 'What's the matter with you?' I asked, looking at him intently. 'Nothing. Yes there is though. I'm feeling mighty queer.' 'Are you ill?' 'No, nothing of the sort. But I'm nervous. I feel as though great things were on foot. The air is charged with great things. Something big is going to take place.' He was silent a few seconds, and then went on, 'I had a long talk with a doctor in France a few days ago.' 'What doctor? What did he tell you?' I asked eagerly.