‘Really the only thing you could swear is that a bullet came unpleasantly close to you,’ said Captain Marsden with a trace of sarcasm.

Sergeant-Major Tozer stiffened a little at his company-officer’s apparent indifference.

‘I’m afraid, sir, I spoke a bit ’asty. Private Bourne didn’t exactly see where the shot came from, but as ’e seemed pretty certain, I thought you might like to know about it. Sniping ’as been rather troublesome in this sector. It was only about twenty yards from where Bourne was standing that the Brigadier was ’it, an’ then there’s this Corporal Evans, sir.’

‘Well, Bourne,’ said Captain Marsden, impatiently, ‘what have you got to say?’

‘I think the shot came from that direction, sir. It is the sort of place in which I should post a sniper, if it were my job. It is difficult to judge from the sound, but I think the bullet came between us, and it certainly hit a stone behind us.’

‘Well, I had better see for myself, I suppose. You needn’t come, Sergeant-Major. Get a bit of rest before stand-to.’

There was a touch of kindliness in his voice, and the sergeant-major, without attaching too much importance to it, felt less ruffled. He found it always a little difficult to guess what his company-officer was thinking, or what effect any of his own suggestions might have on Captain Marsden’s conduct of affairs.

Bourne followed his officer up the steps, and into the cold starlight, without speaking. After a few paces, Captain Marsden spoke.

‘You know, Bourne,’ he said; ‘Sergeant-Major Tozer thinks I am likely to pay more attention to what you say, and of course to some extent that is right; but it doesn’t do to allow that kind of impression to spread. Oh, I know the place you mean. I wondered why Jerry had not included it in his trench system.’

Bourne did not see why Captain Marsden should take the trouble to explain to him. He felt rather resentful; but he had been strange in his behaviour since the attack.

‘There’s nothing there, sir,’ he said. ‘Nothing but the remains of the chimney; no cellars …’

‘How do you know that?’

‘I went out there once, with Mr Finch, sir; to look at their wire. Almost as soon as we got across we heard a Hun patrol coming towards us. We crouched down, we were in a dip in the ground, and could see them through the mist against the light. Mr Finch motioned us to keep quiet. I expected every second that someone would loose off a round. Six buck Huns and only the pull of a trigger between them and peace, perfect peace. It was too easy. They looked like shadows on a window-blind. They had crossed the line we had taken, and passed diagonally behind us, between us and our own wire. After they had passed us, we went on for quite a long way, and coming back we passed through those building remains. There was nothing to be seen but a few light tracks.’