"You mean the one that was shot last week?" said Riley.
"Him with the five thousand francs in his breeches pocket, and the diamond-studded gold watch on his wrist?" said Brock.
"The same, sorr, the same!" said Clancy eagerly, and with his eyes glistening. "And have you made out which of them he is, sorr?"
"No," said Riley shortly. "And remember, Sergeant, there are to be no men going over the parapet this night without orders. The last battalion in here lost a big handful of men trying to get hold of that General, but the Germans were watching too close, and they've got a machine-gun trained to cover him. See to it, Clancy! That's all now."
Sergeant Clancy moved off, but he went reluctantly.
"Why didn't you give him a bit more?" asked Brock.
"Because I know Clancy," said Riley, whispering. "If we had said more now, he might have suspected a plant. As it is, he's got enough to tickle his curiosity, and you can be sure it won't be long before a gentle pumping performance is in operation."
Sergeant Clancy came in sight round the traverse again, moving briskly, but obviously slowing down as he passed them, and very obviously straining to hear anything they were saying. But they both kept silent, and when he had disappeared round the next traverse, Riley grinned and winked at his companion.
"He's hooked, Brockie," he said exultantly.
"Now you wait and—" He stopped as a rifle-man moved round the corner and took up a position on the firing step near them.