'You've heard? I've just got this. I made his Colonel promise to wire me if—'
He pointed to an open telegram on his table:
"Desmond badly hit in raid last night. Tell his people. Authorities will probably give permission to come. Well looked after."
The two men stared at each other.
'I have wired to my father,' said Mannering, 'and am now going to meet him at King's Cross. Can you go and tell Pamela to get ready—or Margaret? But he'll want Pamela!'
Neither was able to speak for a moment, till Mannering said, 'I'll bring my father to Margaret's, and then I'll go and see after the permits.'
He lingered a moment.
'I—I think it means the worst.'
Chicksands' gesture was one of despair.
Then they hurried away from the War Office together.