As may be imagined, after driving a heavy car for over a hundred miles at night-time, I was dead tired, but I offered to run Buller home. The truth was, I was in such a state of nervous tension that I could not remain inactive, and the thought of sitting still while McClure and Merril consulted about my friend's condition drove me to madness.
'Will you?' asked Buller. 'I—I think I should like to get back,' and I could see that he also was nervous and ill at ease.
'I can get you to your place in a few minutes,' I said, 'and by the time
I get back I hope the doctors will have something to tell us.'
A few minutes later, as we were moving rapidly to Buller's house, I said abruptly, 'Was it not rather strange that Springfield should take your car?'
'I suppose it was,' he replied, 'but he is a funny fellow.'
'What do you know about him?' I asked.
'There is not much to know, is there?' and he spoke hesitatingly. 'The Army List will give you full particulars of his career. I believe he has spent most of his time abroad.'
'I have neither had time nor opportunity to study Army Lists. How long was he in India?'
'Not long; only two or three years, I think.'
'Is he any one in particular?' I asked.