decision was a faulty one. The old woman who was hostess gave way to
hysterics at the thought of having to provide for five large, hungry and
nervous officers. She was a horrid old woman--mean, dirty, and if the
Captain's word could be taken as strict truth, immoral. Still, a roof to
cover their heads was an unusual blessing, and it was not long before
they were all sound asleep.

Next morning there was no parade in the grey of dawn. As the first
chilly beam of light crept into the room the Subaltern turned in his
sleep, and smiled at the complete luxury of prolonged rest. They did not
get up till eight, and having dressed, washed, and even shaved, they had
what the "hostess" called breakfast. And still nothing happened, no
breathless orderly delivered the usual order. What had happened?

The Senior Subaltern, who was suspected of leanings towards matrimony,
began to write a letter.

The Captain, who was energetic, began to play billiards on the miniature
pocketless table. Later on the Colonel came in. It was not an official
visit, only to warn them to be ready to move at any moment. Having
thanked the old woman, he left in a singularly peaceful frame of mind.

At half-past twelve they moved on to a small hill just outside the
village, which they proceeded to put into a state of defence. They heard
that afternoon of a large counter-attack launched in the neighbourhood
of Guise, which had been successful in temporarily relieving the
pressure on the British Front. Here it was that they first heard rumours
of the affair off Heligoland, which had become inflated into a
tremendous victory for the British Fleet. Apparently half the German
Fleet had been sent to the bottom of the sea, and you can imagine the