to show
himself above the sand-bags. He had not gone more than twenty yards
when he saw Waterman stop and look around.

Tom stopped almost instinctively, still hidden by a sharp turn in the
trench. The light was fairly good, and Tom's eyes were keen. He saw
that the man had adopted a listening attitude. That particular part of
the trench was for the moment deserted, although any moment a patrol
might appear. Evidently Waterman was keenly watchful; he looked each
way with evident care, and listened attentively. Then he took a piece
of white paper from his pocket which seemed to be attached to something
heavy. Even in the dim light Tom saw the white gleam of the paper
which Waterman had taken from his pocket. Quick as a thought Waterman
stepped on to the ledge of the trench, and then, leaning over the
sand-bags, threw the paper towards the German lines. This done he
stepped back and hurried quickly away.

For a second the lad was almost paralysed; then the meaning of it came
to him like a flash of light, and before Waterman had proceeded half a
dozen yards Tom had sprung upon him.

"What do you mean, fellow? Get away from me!" and Waterman struggled
to free himself.

But Tom held on like grim death. "You are a German spy, that's what
you are!" he said hoarsely. "A mean, skulking German spy!"

"This will mean death for you, my man," said Waterman, still
struggling. "You are enough of a soldier to know that for a private to
strike an officer in war time means court martial and death."

"It will not be I who will be court martialled," panted Tom. "Ah, you
swine!" for at that moment Waterman had pulled out his pistol, and had
not Tom struck his arm a bullet would have gone through his brain.

"I say, what's this?"

"A German spy!" cried Tom hoarsely, "he tried to shoot me, sir!"

"A German spy!" said the new-comer. "You must be mad."

"I am not mad, sir. I saw him."

"He _is_ mad!" said Waterman. "I'm here on duty and the fellow
attacked me. Pull him off, Lieutenant Penrose, he's strangling me!"

Tom recognised the new-comer although he had not seen him for months.
It was Penrose who had been with him in Lancashire, and who had
received his commission immediately after his arrival in Surrey.

"You know me, sir!" cried Tom, still holding on to the other; "you know
I would not do a thing without reason, sir! Make him a prisoner, he's
been giving information to the enemy!"

"Prove it!" said Wa