im at
home. Mind, I am not saying word against him as a soldier. He has done
some splendid work on more than one occasion, but notwithstanding this I
do not wish to see him again with any of the forces under my command.

Ever yours,

F.

"Did you show this to our friend?" Thomson inquired.

"I gave him a digest of its contents," the General replied. "He smiled
in a supercilious manner and said I had better do as I was asked."

Thomson said nothing for a moment. His face was very set and he had the
air of a man desperately but quietly angry.

"As a matter of fact," General Brice continued, glancing at the clock on
his desk, "Granet is in my anteroom at the present moment, I expect. He
asked for an interview this afternoon."

"Have him in, if you don't mind," the other suggested. "I can sit at the
empty desk over there. I can be making some calculations with reference
to the number of hospital beds for each transport. I want to hear him
talk to you."

The General nodded and touched a bell.

"You can show Captain Granet in," he told the boy scout who answered it.

Thomson took his place in the far corner of the room and bent over
a sheaf of papers. Presently Granet was ushered in. He was leaning a
little less heavily upon his stick and he had taken his arm from the
sling for a moment. He saluted the General respectfully and glanced
across the room towards where Thomson was at work. If he recognised him,
however, he made no sign.

"Well, Granet," the General inquired, "how are you getting on?"

"Wonderfully, sir," was the brisk reply. "I have seen my own doctor this
morning and he thinks I might come up before the Board on Saturday."

"And what does that mean?"

"I want to get back again, sir," Granet replied eagerly.

The General stroked his grey moustache and looked searchingly at the
young officer. He was standing full in the light of a ray of sunshine
which came streaming through the high, uncurtained windows. Although he
was still a little haggard, his eyes were bright, his lips were parted
in an anticipatory smile, his whole expression was engaging. General
Brice, studying him closely, felt compelled to admit the improbability
of his vague suspicions.

"That's all very well, you know," he reminded him quietly, "but you
won't be fit enough for active service for some time to come."

The young man's face fell.

"I am sure