As he reflected afterwards, it seemed to him a miracle that he had not been killed. No sooner had he mastered the German and seized the paper than bullets showered upon him like rain, and yet beyond these two slight flesh wounds he was wholly untouched. It was true he was very stiff and sore, but he knew that he would soon be as well as ever.
On the evening of the same day Colonel Blount came to see him.
"Pollard, my lad," said the colonel, "I felt I must come to see you. You have rendered the British Army and your country a great service, and you will get your reward."
"Thank you, sir, but I never thought about reward," said Tom simply.
"I'm sure you didn't," replied the colonel, "but this job's not at an end yet, my lad."
"No, sir," said Tom, mistaking his meaning, "we have got a stiff job before we lick the Germans."
"I didn't mean that," replied the colonel. "I mean this Waterman business is not at an end yet."
"No, sir," said Tom, "of course you will shoot him."
"He deserves a worse death than that," replied the Colonel grimly, "but you will have to give evidence against him."
"Yes, sir," replied Tom.