I had not time to ask any more questions, however, for at that minute Hugh Lethbridge walked into my room, and I saw by the look on his face that he was much perturbed.
I did not ask him any questions, for at that moment Simpson was busily clearing away the dinner utensils. It was evident, however, that something had excited him greatly. He could not sit still, and his hands were constantly clenching and unclenching themselves.
"Erskine," he said presently, when Simpson had left the room, "I want you to help me."
"Help you, my dear fellow, how?"
"I have been and done it," he said.
"Done what?"
"I could not help it, my dear chap. You have seen the placards all over the place. You know the call there has been for men. What could I do? Here am I, healthy and strong, and just the kind of man that is needed. How could I hang back like a coward?"
"Then you have enlisted?"
"Yes," he cried, "I have enlisted; I could not help myself."
"As a private?"