il we lost you."

"You couldn't get old if you tried," said Jim proudly. "And you can't
lose me either--can he, Norah?" They drew together again; it seemed
complete happiness just to touch each other--not to speak; to be
together. Afterwards there would be explanations; but they seemed the
last thing that mattered now.

They did not hear the hoot of a motor in the drive or a ring at the
front door. Allenby answered it, and admitted a tall subaltern.

"Mr. Wally!"

"Evening, Allenby," said Wally. "I believe I'm a bit ahead of time--I
didn't expect to get here so soon. Do you think they'll have a corner
for me?"

Allenby laughed--a rather quavering laugh.

"I think you'll always find your room ready, sir," he said. "You--I
suppose you 'aven't 'eard our good news, sir?"

"I never hear good news," said Wally shortly. "What is it?"

Allenby eyed him doubtfully.

"I don't know as I oughtn't to break it to you a bit, sir," he said.
"You can't be over-strong yet, and you wounded, and all; and never
'aving rightly got over losing Mr. Jim, and----"

Wally shuddered.

"For Heaven's sake, man, stop breaking it gently!" he said. "What is
it?" In his voice was the crisp tone of the officer; and the
ex-sergeant came to attention smartly.

"It's Mr. Jim, sir," he said. "'E's 'ome."

For a long moment Wally stared at him.

"You're not mad, I suppose?" he said slowly. "Or perhaps I am. Do
you mean----"

"Them 'Uns couldn't kill him, sir!" Allenby's voice rose on a note of
triumph. "Let me take your coat, sir--'e's in the study. And you
coming just puts the top on everything, sir!"

He reached up for Wally's coat. But the boy broke from him and ran
blindly to the study, bursting in upon the group by the fire. There
he stopped dead, and stared at them.

"Old chap!" said Jim. He sprang to him, and flung an arm round his
shoulders. Then he gave a great sigh of utter contentment, and echoed
Allenby unconsciously.

"Well, if that doesn't make everything just perfect!" he said.

CHAPTER XX

ALL CLEAR

"Kiddie, are you awake?"

"Come in, Jimmy."

Norah sat up in bed and felt for the electric switch. The room sprang
into light as Jim came in.

"I had to come and bring your stocking," he said. "Merry Christmas,
little chap."

"Merry Christmas, Jimmy dear." Norah looked at the bulging stocking
on her bed, and broke into laughter. "And you a full-blown Captain!
Oh, Jimmy, are you ev