But all the poor old private gets is bread and Tinker’s Jam.’

Captain Ellis carried two backpacks, one on each shoulder, and walked into the farmhouse kitchen.

Colette and Aimee Fletcher sat at the table with Marius Furst. ‘I’ve brought some supplies to help you on the road,’ the captain said. ‘And inside the front pocket of this backpack there’s a letter from the general – with it no one will stop you or question you. But the German army is running fast to the east. You’ll have to leave soon if you’re going to catch them.’

Marius gave a weak smile. ‘He isn’t strong enough to go yet,’ Aimee said quietly. ‘And he doesn’t know the way.’

Captain Ellis spread his hands wide. ‘What else can I do? I am helping an enemy soldier to escape after we faked a firing squad. General Bruce knows about it but we could all be in trouble if some German-haters back home ever found out.’

‘Can’t you give him a lift in a lorry?’

‘Aimee, I am in charge of spy-catching. I can’t whistle for a Canadian army truck to be a taxi for him. No, he’ll have to head east alone. The Germans are at Peronne now. If he gets there in two days he can cross no man’s land at night and be safe with his friends by morning.’

‘What if he gets lost?’ Aimee asked.

‘There’s a map in the backpack.’

‘The roads are full of troops and tanks. He’d be better off going along the drovers’ road,’ Colette said. ‘We walk it every year when we take the cattle to Peronne.’

Aimee shook her head. ‘I went that way the other day. The road is ruined with the war. If I didn’t know the route I’d never have been able to follow the old trail.’

‘But you could still find your way to Peronne along it, could you, Aimee?’ Captain Ellis asked.

‘Of course,’ Aimee said.

The officer turned to Colette. ‘Would you mind if Aimee went with the boy? To guide him? Only as far as Peronne?’

Mrs Fletcher took a deep breath and blew out her cheeks. ‘Of course I would mind... but it sounds like it’s the only way he’ll get back. Marius has helped us. We owe it to him. And it’ll keep Aimee out of the way of Silver Hand’s revenge for a while.’

Captain Ellis gave a weary smile. That was one less thing for him to worry about. ‘I have everything you need here,’ he said patting the backpack. ‘Maps, compass, good waterproof capes for the rain, a sheet to make a tent at night, matches and a water bottle... and the letter, of course.’ He put the bag on the floor by his left foot.

‘How will you get back, Aimee?’ Marius asked when the girl told him the plan.