thout a medical examination, in the hope that his
regiment would be used later. But his work at the Staff College had
brought him into notice, a man conveniently died, and Winn appeared at
the right moment.

Within twenty-four hours of his visit to the War Office, he was attached
for staff duty to a British division.

Then work closed over his head. He became a railway time-table, a
lost-luggage office, a registrar, and a store commissioner.

He had the duties of a special Providence thrust upon him, with all the
disadvantages of being readily held accountable, so skilfully evaded by
the higher powers.

Junior officers flew to him for orders as belated ladies fly to their
pin cushions for pins.

He ate when it was distinctly necessary, and slept two hours out of the
twenty-four.

He left nothing undone which he could do himself; his mind was
unfavorable to chance. The heads of departments listened when he made
suggestions, and found it convenient to answer with accuracy his sudden
questions.

Subordinates hurried to obey his infrequent but final orders; and when
Winn said, "I think you'd find it better," people found it better.

The division slipped off like cream, without impediment or hitch.

There were no delays, the men acquired their kit, and found their
railway carriages.

The trains swept in velvet softness out of the darkened London station
through the sweet, quiet, summer night into a sleepless Folkestone. The
division went straight onto the right transports; there wasn't a man, a
horse, or a gun out of place.

Winn heaved a sigh of relief as he stepped on board; his troubles as a
staff officer had only just begun, but they had begun as troubles
should always begin, by being adequately met. There were no arrears.

He did not think of Claire until he stood on deck and saw the lights
receding and the shadow that was England passing out of his sight.

He remembered her then with a little pang of joy--for suddenly he knew
that he was free to think of her.

He had thought of her before as a man registers a fact that is always
present to him, but in the interval since he had seen her his
consciousness of her had been increasingly troubled.

Now the trouble was fading, as England faded, as his old life was
fading.

He had a sense that he was finally freed. It was not like seeing Claire
again, but it was like not having to see anything else.

"Until I'm dead I'm hers, and after I'm dead I'm hers,