"Only a short way," said the soldier. "Quite close."
"Across that field?" asked the Feldscher, pointing to the moonlight.
"Yes, certainly," said the soldier.
The Feldscher scratched his head. "We can't go further without orders," he said. "That's very dangerous in front there. I'm responsible for these men. We must return and ask, your Honour," he said, turning to me.
"We shall be nearly an hour returning," I said. "Is your friend badly wounded?" I asked the soldier.
"Very," said he.
"You see ..." I said to the Feldscher. "We can't possibly leave him like that. It's only a little way."
The Feldscher shook his head. "I can't be responsible. I had my orders to go so far and no further. I must see that my men are safe."
The sanitars who were sitting in a row on their haunches under the shadow of the barn all nodded their heads.