carried off. That's more than three years ago. The war's over. Grim
tells me all Australians have been sent home and discharged. What about
me?"

"Um-m-m! Ah! This will have to be considered. Let's see; to whom did
you surrender?"

"Damn you, I didn't surrender! I met Grim in the desert, and reported
to him for duty."

"Met Major Grim, eh?"

"Yes," said Grim, appearing in the door. "I came across him in the
desert; he reported for duty; I gave him an order, and he obeyed it.
Everything's regular."

"Um-m-m! How'd you make that out--regular? Have you any proof he
wasn't a deserter? He'll have to be charged with desertion and tried by
court martial, I'm afraid. Possibly a mere formality, but it'll have to
be done, you know, before he can be given a clear discharge. If he
can't be proved guilty of desertion he'll be cleared."

"How long will that take?" Jeremy demanded.

His voice rang sharp with the challenge note that means debate has
ceased and quarrel started. It isn't the right note for dissolving
difficulties.

"Couldn't tell you," said the brigadier. "My advice to you is to keep
yourself as inconspicuous as possible until the administrator gets