for active service and were meditatin' matrimony."

"By gad, Warrington! You don't know how near that guess is to the
truth!"

Kirby's lips were smiling, but his voice was hard. Warrington
glanced quickly at him once and then looked serious.

"You mean--"

"Yes," said Kirby.

"Has it broken yet?"

"No."

"Is it goin' to break?"

"Looks like it. Looks to me as if it's all been prearranged. Our
crowd are sparring for time, and the Prussians are all in a hurry.
Looks that way to me."

"And you mean--there's a chance--even a chance of us--of Outram's
Own bein' out of it? Beg your pardon, sir, but are you serious?"

"Yes," said Kirby, and Warrington's jaw fell.

"Any details that are not too confidential for me to know?" asked
Warrington.