"He pulled a torch out of his pocket and showed it on himself. A Staff-major. So we shook hands, and he congratulated me.... Then I felt rather a fool," laughed Jack Awdas, "for he asked me my name.
"'Well, as a matter of fact, Sir,' I said, and stopped.
"'Well what?' he asked.
"'Well, as a matter of fact, I'm not supposed to be here at all.'
"'Oh?' he barked. 'Got any orders on you?'
"I had; from the Assistant Adjutant. I pulled 'em out and he read them by the light of his torch.
"'H'm,' he said, 'taking a machine to France, but I see by this you're not due to start until tomorrow morning. It's now two, ac emma. How's this?'
"Well, when you're cornered like that I always think there's only one thing for it; pure cheek. So, as bold as brass, I gave a look at the orders myself, and then said, 'I rather fancy this must be a clerical error, sir. My verbal orders were to start today, and I can't have been two hours on the way yet?'
"I fancied I heard him give a chuckle in the dark, but all he said was, 'Well, this will be a serious matter for you.'
"'Oh, I hope not, Sir,' I said.