when you do, there's no reason why you shouldn't let us drive you
out, is there? We're going there, and I don't mind telling you
that we've just finished a two hour leave to go and say good-bye
to - to -"

His voice broke a little at that. In spite of his light-hearted
manner and his rather chaffing tone, he couldn't help remembering
that good-bye. He was going to face whatever fate might come, but
thoughts of those he might not see again could not be prevented
from obtruding themselves.

"Shut up, Cecil," said the other. "We've said good-bye - that's
the end of it! We've got other things to think of now. Here we
are!"

The train pulled into Ealing station. Here the evidences of war
and the warlike preparations were everywhere. The platforms were
full of soldiers, laughing, jostling one another, saluting the
officers who passed among them. And Harry, as he and Dick
followed the officers toward the gate, saw one curious thing. A
sentry stood by the railway official who was taking up tickets,
and two or three times he stopped and questioned civilian
passengers. Two of these, moreover, he ordered into the ticket
office, where, as he went by, Harry saw an officer, seated at a
desk, examining civilians.

Ealing, as a place where many troops were quartered, was plainly
very much under martial law. And outside the station it was even
more military. Soldiers were all about and automobiles were
racing around, too. And there were many women and children here,