There was a moment's pause. Major Thomson seemed in no hurry to
explain himself.

"Jolly luncheon party, wasn't it?" Granet remarked, lighting a
cigarette for himself with some difficulty. "What an idiot it makes a
fellow feel to be strapped up like this!"

"From what one reads of the fighting around Ypres," the other
replied, "you were lucky to get out of it so well. Let me explain, if
I may, why I have paid you this rather untimely call."

Captain Granet nodded amiably. He had made himself comfortable in an
easy-chair and was playing with the dog, who had jumped on to his
knee.

"I had some conversation on Thursday last," Major Thomson began,
"with the Provost-Marshal of Boulogne. As you, of course, know, we
have suffered a great deal, especially around Ypres, from the
marvellous success of the German Intelligence Department. The
Provost-Marshal, who is a friend of mine, told me that there was a
special warning out against a person purporting to be an American
chaplain who had escaped from Belgium. You don't happen to have heard
of him, I suppose, do you?"

Captain Granet looked doubtful.

"Can't remember that I have," he replied. "They've been awfully
clever, those fellows, though. The last few nights before our little
scrap they knew exactly what time our relief parties came along.
Several times we changed the hour. No use! They were on to us just