“I am the only man in camp who is on parole to you,” pleaded Hill.
“Hum!” said the Colonel again.
“We may be sent to the common jail,” said Hill.
The Colonel rubbed his chin. “You are aware that if anyone escapes the rest of the camp will be punished? You have seen the Commandant’s order on the subject, have you not?”[[18]]
“Yes,” said Hill; “but from this afternoon we are to be in separate confinement. We won’t form part of the camp.”
“Well,” said the Colonel, “if you are put in the common jail, you may escape if you can. But if you are confined in one of these houses round here, I shall consider you are still in the camp.”
“But supposing we are moved from Yozgad?” Hill protested.
“I can’t have you risking the comfort of a hundred other officers,” he replied. “You should think of the others. But in view of a possible move, I shall modify your parole to apply only to Yozgad and a five-mile radius round it, excluding the jail, if you like.”
Hill glanced across at me. On the principle that half a loaf is better than no bread, I nodded.
“Thank you, sir,” said Hill.