Sir John glanced round before speaking.
"Good enough, sir," responded Roy, with the prompt cheerfulness which from the first had marked him out in Moore's eyes. "If only Captain Keene—"
"Ay. You are anxious about him!"
"Yes, sir; I've been able to find out nothing."
"So Napier tells me. As I was passing this way, I have looked in to set your mind at rest. He is prisoner."
Roy drew one hasty breath. Till that moment he had not realised how heavily the fear had weighed upon him of other than imprisonment. To know that Jack was still in the land of the living meant much. Jack had been very good to Roy.
"Two French prisoners brought in this afternoon have told us about him. His leg was wounded, and his right arm broken, and when helpless he was taken. Already, they say, he has been sent some distance beyond their lines."
"Thank you, sir," gratefully. "I'm glad to know. It might have been worse."
"You are writing home, perhaps? Make light of his wounds. I hope he is not in any danger."
"Yes, sir. I am writing to my sister—ready for a chance of sending it."