"I believe they've missed their way altogether," muttered the Colonel
angrily. "There should hove been shots long ago. It isn't like
Linton. Dawn will be here soon, and the whole lot will be scuppered."
He wheeled at a sudden commotion beyond him in the trench. "Silence
there! What's that?"

"That" was Jim Linton and his warriors, very muddy, but otherwise
undamaged. They dropped into the trench quietly, those who came first
turning to receive heavy objects from those yet on top. Last of all
Jim hopped down.

"Hullo, Wal!" he whispered. "Got 'em."

"Got 'em!" said the Colonel sternly. "What? Where have you been,
sir?"

"I beg your pardon, sir--I didn't know you were there," Jim said,
rather horrified. It is not given to every subaltern to call his
commanding officer "Wal," when that is not his name. "I have the
guns, sir."

"You have--_what_?"

"The Boche--I mean, the enemy, machine-guns. We brought them back,
sir."

"You brought them back!" The Colonel leaned against the wall of the
trench and began to laugh helplessly. "And your men?"

"All here, sir. We brought the ammunition, too," said Jim mildly.
"It seemed a pity to waste it!"

Which things, being told in high places, brought Jim a mention in
despatches, and, shortly afterwards, confirmation of his acting rank.
It would be difficult to find fitting words to tell of the effect of
this matter upon a certain grizzled gentleman and a very young lady
who, when the information reached them were studying patent manures in
a morning-room in a house in Surrey.

"He's--why," gasped Norah incredulously--"he's actually Captain
Linton!"

"I suppose he is," said her father. "Doesn't it sound ridiculous!"

"I don't think it's ridiculous at all," said Norah warmly. "He
deserved it. I think it sounds simply beautiful!"

"Do you know," said her father, somewhat embarrassed--"I really
believe I agree with you!" He laughed. "Captain Linton!"

"Captain Linton!" reiterated Norah. "Our old Jimmy!" She swept the
table clear. "Oh, Daddy, bother the fertilizers for to-night--I'm
going to write to Billabong!"

"But it isn't mail-day to-morrow," protested her father mildly.

"No," said Norah. "But I'll explode if I don't tell Brownie!"

"And will the Captain be coming 'ome soon, Miss Norah?" inquired
Allenby, a little later. The household had waxed ecstatic over the
news.

"The Captain?" Norah echoed. "Oh, how nice of you, Allenby! It d