"You had better take the bay: he's a stayer."
"You may not see him again," said the Colonel, with the flicker of a smile.
"I daresay I shan't. How many have you lost so far?"
"Only one. Judith, will you let me raid the larder? We're devilish short of rations."
"Of course: take what you want," she answered readily. "But must you go back yet? Is it not possible for you to rest for a while?"
He shook his head. "No; I must be back at Headquarters by midnight, you know. It's nearly ten now, and in this wet and darkness it will take me two hours, or more."
"Where are the Duke's Headquarters?" asked Worth.
"At Waterloo." He picked up his cloak from the chair on which he had laid it, and clasped it round his neck. His cocked hat in its oilskin cover lay ready to his hand; he tucked it under his arm, and said, with a little hesitation: "Judith, if you should see Miss Devenish..." He paused, as though he did not know how to continue.
"I shall, I expect," she replied. "Do you desire some message to her?"
"No - only that I wish you will tell her that you have seen me tonight, and that all is well."