was never so happy
as when bawling someone out.

McGee felt sorry for Mullins and sorrier still for Cowan. One with half
an eye could see that Cowan was about as popular with his command as
would be a case of smallpox. McGee had been trained in an atmosphere
where discipline was a matter of example rather than a matter of fear,
and as a result had always known a sort of good-fellowship which he felt
instinctively would be impossible with such a commander as Cowan.

"I'm sorry you can't come with us, Major," McGee said in a voice that
carried no conviction. "However, I must toddle along." He turned to
Siddons and Hampden. "Ready? Right-O!"

During the short motor trip into Is Sur Tille, McGee's curiosity finally
got the better of his natural dislike for admitting that his memory had
failed him. "I think I have met you somewhere before, Lieutenant," he
said to Siddons.

"Yes? I do not remember it," Siddons replied, with the air of one who is
making no great draft upon his own memory. He himself evidently sensed
the lack of courtesy, for he added, "New York, perhaps. Have you been
around New York much?"

"No, I haven't. Somewhere else--"

Lieutenant Hampden's mellow laugh interrupted.

"Siddons has the idea that one never meets anyone outside of New York,"
he said. "He's terribly provincial, Lieutenant. He thinks there are only
two places in the world--New York and everywhere else."

Siddons displayed no resentment at the taunt; he seemed quite well
satisfied with the opinion expressed. In fact, he appeared quite
satisfied with everything--especially with himself.

McGee wondered how a likeable chap, such as Hampden, could choose as
companion one so utterly different in manner, in ideas, and in speech.
But then, war brings together strange bedfellows and establishes new
standards. McGee dismissed the matter from his mind as the car swung
into the narrow streets of the darkened town.

"Where can I drop you?" he asked.

"Going by the cafe down on the main drag?" Hampden asked.

"Right."

"That will be fine. I hope to see you again soon, Lieutenant."

"Thanks. The Spads are due to arrive on Monday. That's three days. See
you then. Well, here we are," as the car swung in to the curb in front
of the cafe. The shutters were closed, no light came from any of the
stores or houses along the street, but from behind the closed door of
the cafe came the sound of voices and laughter mixed with the metallic
banging of