“Even whilst I was there, I saw these ruffians superintending the removal of case after case of high-explosive from cunningly concealed chambers behind the timber linings and under floors.
“The cramped stairways, galleries and cubby-holes were crowded with odd specimens of all ranks and arms, some eating or talking, others huddled uneasily asleep, with the constant tide of traffic pouring over their sprawling limbs.
“Electric lights burned brilliantly, and the engine sent a steady shiver through the timbered walls like the vibrations of a steamer.
“Like a ship breasting the waves, too, were the intermittent thud and tremor of bursting shells in the village high overhead, or the replies of our own artillery.
“Telephones buzzed, a typewriter rattled away, and the clatter of plates being washed in a bucket made one wonder wistfully whether it would occur to any one to suggest that you might be hungry.
“One Brigadier, presumably the first come, sat in the utmost pomp and luxury in a sumptuous arm-chair of crimson plush, a ci-devant drawing-room table before him, on which was spread a large-scale detailed map of Bourlon Wood—a very valuable legacy left behind by the over-hasty Boches.
“On the walls were framed oleographs of Hindenburg and the Kaiser, whilst a gilt clock still kept German time as it ticked above the door.
“Two tiers of wire rabbit-net bunks lined one side of the little chamber, and a smart little stove surmounted by a fine old mirror adorned the other.
“They are pretty sound on Home Comforts are the Boches, and they don’t think twice about pinching anything they fancy from the unfortunate natives.
“Like another much advertised system of furnishing, ‘It’s so simple’! ‘Deferred Payment,’ if they will have it so—deferred, but payment at the last—payment good and plenty or I’ll eat my tin hat—including visor and lining.”