Again Tom found himself submitted to a keen cross-examination after he
had told his story, and he noticed that all the officers, including
Waterman, listened very attentively.

"There's something wrong," said Tom to himself; "they tried to shake
me, but they failed; I know what I heard well enough." And then he
watched them as they quickly crossed the dangerous corner, and hurried
into a sheltered position.

That same night, after the staff officers had returned to their
Headquarters, Tom, who was passing the Water Tower, saw, much to his
surprise, the retreating form of a staff officer. Of course this might
mean nothing--he was utterly ignorant of the movements of those above
him; all the same he felt as though hammers were beating against his
forehead, so excited was he.

The next night Tom's company was ordered to relieve a number of men who
had been a good many hours in the trenches, and just as the shadows of
evening were falling they crept along the Potijze Road towards the
communication trench. An hour later Tom had taken up his post in the
zig-zag cutting with a feeling that something of importance was going
to happen.

Hour after hour passed away, and still Tom wondered at what he had seen
and heard. He had no definite data upon which to go, no tangible
reason for his suspicions, and yet with that bulldog tenacity
characteristic of the sharp Lancashire boy he kept thinking of what he
ought to do. Presently he heard a voice which he recognised; it was
that of Major Blundell, in reply to something that had been said to him.

"Yes, yes," said the Major, "I quite understand."

"You are sure you have the instructions plain?"

"Perfectly sure."

"Then I will get along here and speak to Captain Winfield."

"Let me come with you," said Major Blundell.

"Oh no, certainly not. I know the way perfectly well. Good night,
Blundell."

"Good night, Waterman."

It was a fairly bright night, although a few clouds hung in the sky.
Tom heard approaching footsteps, and then hid himself in a sharp corner
of the trench while Waterman passed him. Tom followed noiselessly, all
the time keeping out of sight of the man he watched. This he was able
to do with comparative ease, owing to the zig-zag nature of the trench.
Tom knew that at this particular point they were only a little more
than a hundred yards from the German lines, and that the German snipers
were constantly on the watch for any one who might happen