"Yes, sir," replied Fortescue, standing to attention and saluting as he recognized Captain Nicholson the S.I.N. of the old Awarua days and his lieutenancy a thing of the past.
"You've warned the men to nip over smartly?" asked the Captain.
"Yes, sir, I've seen to that. There is another matter on which I should like to speak."
Briefly Fortescue related the incident of the spy's flight as told him by his two comrades. Captain Nicholson's face lengthened.
"By Jove, this is a serious matter! What was the fellow doing?"
"Assisting in fixing ladders, sir."
"Then pass the word for the sergeant in charge of his party."
The non-com. was soon on the spot. He was the sergeant who had doubted the veracity of Malcolm's statement, and still had the same opinion on the matter as before.
But when the roll-call was taken one of the men was missing--Rifleman Scrooch.
"Know anything about him, Sergeant?" enquired Captain Nicholson.