didn't mean that," replied the colonel. "I mean this Waterman
business is not at an end yet."

"No, sir," said Tom, "of course you will shoot him."

"He deserves a worse death than that," replied the Colonel grimly, "but
you will have to give evidence against him."

"Yes, sir," replied Tom.

"Will you be well enough to come to-morrow night?"

"Yes, sir."

The Colonel knew he was not acting according to strict regimental rules
and regulations in speaking to a private in this fashion, but it was no
ordinary case, and Colonel Blount was not a man to be tied down to
military etiquette. Private though Tom Pollard was, he had rendered,
as he had said, a signal service, not only to the Army, but to the
British Nation.

The next evening Tom found himself in a large room amongst a number of
officers, and standing at one corner, carefully guarded, was Waterman.

CHAPTER IX

The evidence against Waterman was so clear, so overwhelming, that there
was not the slightest doubt about the verdict which would be passed
upon him. He had been caught practically red-handed in his deed of
treachery; but this was not all. Tom Pollard's action had led to a
number of other facts coming to light. He had by many cunning devices
been in communication with the enemy; he had constantly made known the
plans which he had learnt at the Divisional Headquarters, and had thus
prepared the Germans for many of the attacks which we had made.

Tom could not help being impressed by the fact that even although
Waterman's guilt was as clear as daylight, it was the evident desire of
those who tried him to act fairly, and even generously, towards him.
Everything that could be said in his favour was carefully listened to,
and noted; and on the faces of more than one present was a look of
concern almost amounting to pain. This, however, did not hide the
truth that every man regarded him with horror, almost amounting to
loathing. They respected an enemy who fought openly and fairly, but
for a man who was a staff officer in the British Army and who
consequently learnt many of the plans of that Army; for a man who had
taken the oath to be faithful to his King and Country, and yet to act
as he had acted, was ignominy too vile for expression.

But Waterman seemed to have no shame, no sense of guilt; he uttered no
word of regret, but stood erect and almost motionless. His face was
hard and set, in his eyes was a steely glitter; it seemed as tho