mportance of that official and
his office, otherwise he would not have adopted the
just-dropping-in-to-have-a-chat-with-a-friend-inside attitude.
From the constable's cold response he realised that, in tackling
the W.O. single-handed, he was attempting a big thing, whereas the
W.O., in tackling him, was not under the same disadvantage. Then
he did what was unusual with him; he paused to think before
resuming the offensive. What he wanted, he felt, was big guns. The
House of Commons caught his eye and reminded him of politicians.
He recalled a slight acquaintance with one of the more important
of these and went round to call upon him personally. It was not
his idea to obtain any such authority as would demolish all
opposition at the W.O.; he just hoped to get a personal chit,
which would act as a smoke barrage and at least cover his advance
right into the middle of the enemy defences.

So Hubert asked for the politician in person, but only got his
secretary. This gentleman, having elicited that Hubert's train for
France left at 5 P.M., regretted that the politician would not be
visible till 6. This opposition warmed Hubert's blood; he asked
for a statement in writing. After some little discussion he got
it, since the secretary, for all his caution, could see no harm in
an unofficial note, addressed to no one in particular, and stating
merely that Hubert wanted to see the politician and the politician
was out till 6 P.M.

The little captain is one of those who state their grievances to
themselves, when no other audience is available. During his
return journey to the W.O. mental processes of no little heat and
significance took place in his busy head, he putting up an
overwhelming case to show why his leave ought to be, and must be,
extended. The force of this case gave him such a burning sense of
justice as to carry him, this time, safely past the policeman.

Five rows of barbed wire, two of them electrified, would be but a
poor substitute for the barriers of the W.O. Before you set foot
on the staircase you have to produce a ticket, and it is supposed
that the porter, who has the forms to be filled in, forfeits a
day's pay every time he parts with one. Hubert, gradually losing
confidence, wrote upon the form all he could think of about
himself, and handed it to the porter,