e map-location of your next dug-out."

The lunch arrived. Dishes were obsequiously offered for inspection and
approval. While the meal was being served, there was no opportunity for
private conversation. Tabs was pondering one fact which he had
overheard. "So, he, too, was demobbed yesterday! That's why he took his
last chance to become engaged. The glamour of a uniform---- And to-day
he's back where he started. Poor chap!"

The over-zealous waiter had at last moved out of range. Braithwaite
lifted up his dagger gaze. "And what is that occasion--the one occasion
which would compel you to publish my past? Perhaps I can save you the
trouble of putting it into words. You mean if I dared to become engaged
to Terry Beddow? I am engaged to her. I dared last night; so I must
leave you to do your worst."

He smiled with quiet triumph; gradually his smile faded into puzzlement.
"You don't seem surprised."

"I'm not," said Tabs. "Why should I be? I myself supposed, that I was
engaged to her last night."

It was Braithwaite who showed amazement. "You! Last night!"

"Yes, I, last night."

Braithwaite set down his knife and fork. The bleak look came into his
eyes that had given him the nickname at the Front of "Steely Jack." He
was silent for a full five seconds; then he said, "Lord Taborley, you're
a man of your word, but I find it difficult to believe that."

Tabs' voice was both quiet and kindly when he replied, "You'll find it
difficult to believe a good many things before I've ended. Evidently
Terry never told you that for over four years she and I had had an
understanding that, when peace came, if I survived, we would be married.
Last night, while you were proposing to her, I was asking her father's
consent. While I was gaining his consent, you were being accepted."

The blank look of astonishment which had overspread the General's face,
quickly gave way to one of generous compassion. "On my word of honor,
Lord Taborley, I never knew that. I thought--please forgive me--that you
were interfering merely out of snobbishness. I ought to have known
better. All my dealings with you should have---- I begin to understand."

Tabs' old sense of friendship for the man--his man--was coming back.
"You begin," he said, "but you don't fully understand. You and I have to
come down to earth. Not unnaturally up till now you've chosen to treat
me as an enemy. Perhaps I was when I sent you those two letters
yesterday. But I'm not now.