ipline was struggling hard
with his humanity, which, under his rugged exterior, beat warm in his
heart.

"Why bother with the O. C.?" said the M. D.

"But I must see him," insisted the sergeant major.

He had not far to go to attain his purpose.

"Hello! What the devil is this?" exclaimed a loud voice at the door.

"By gad, it's the old man himself," muttered the M. O. to Barry. "Now
look out for ructions."

In came the O. C., followed by a brass hat. Barry went forward with a
steaming tin of coffee.

"Sorry our china hasn't arrived yet, sir," he said cheerfully, "but the
coffee isn't bad, the boys say."

"Why, it's you, Dunbar," said the colonel, peering into his face, and
shaking the rain drops from his coat. "I might have guessed that you'd
be in it. Where there's any trouble," he continued, turning to the brass
hat at his side, "you may be quite sure that the Pilot or the M. O. here
will be in it. By Jove, this coffee goes to the right spot. Have a cup,
major?" he said as Barry brought a second tin.

"It's against regulations, you know," said the major, taking the mess
tin gingerly. "Fires are quite forbidden. Air raids, and that sort of
thing, don't you know."

"Oh, hang it all, major," cried the O. C. "The coffee is fine, and my
men will be a lot better for it. This camp of yours, anyway, is no place
for human beings, and especially for men straight off the boat. As for
me, I'm devilish glad to get this coffee. Give me another tin, Pilot."

"It's quite irregular," murmured the major, still drinking his coffee.
"It's quite irregular! But I see the door is fairly well guarded against
light, and perhaps--"

"I think we'll just carry on," said the colonel. "If there is any
trouble, I'll assume the responsibility for it. Thank you, Pilot. Just
keep guard on the light here, sergeant major."

"All right, sir. Very good, sir, we will hang up a blanket."

Meanwhile the news had spread throughout the camp, and before many
minutes had passed the cellar was jammed with a crowd of men that
reached through the door and out into the night. The crowd was becoming
noisy and there was danger of confusion. Then the pilot climbed up on a
heap of rubbish and made a little speech.

"Men," he called out, "this coffee is intended first of all for the sick
men in this battalion. Those sick men must first be cared for. After
that we shall distribute the coffee as far as it will go. There is
plenty of water outside, and I