Ernie did not move. He stood with folded arms, rather white, following his retreating brother with his eyes. Then he said to the Colonel quietly,
"Yes, sir. That's Alf. Now you know."
"I'm beginning to," said the Colonel.
"And time too," came Ruth's voice cold and quivering.
In the cool of the evening the Colonel walked down Terminus Road.
Outside the office of Caspar's Road-Touring Syndicate Alf was standing, awaiting the return of his argosies. He was scanning the evening paper and still wore the injured and offended air of one who has a personal grievance against his Creator and means to get his own back some day.
"Any news, sir?" he asked.
The Colonel stopped.
"Germany sent Belgium an ultimatum last night demanding right of way. And the King of Belgium took the field this morning."
"Then he ought to be shot," snarled Alf. "Provoking of em on, I call it."