"Good! I will arrange for the fatigues—very pleased to! Ah, you are new here, are you not? Well, I will give you a bit of good advice. Be in the barracks on the stroke of the hour. Remember, men on leave must not play tricks with punctuality."
"Right, sir!"
The adjutant turned sharp about and went off.
"He is jolly amiable, that's sure!" was Fandor's comment.... "I wonder, if by chance."...
Since Fandor had so rashly mixed himself up in this spy business, he was inclined to see everywhere traitors and accomplices; but he reminded himself that he must beware of preconceived ideas.
It was on the stroke of seven when Fandor showed his permit to the sergeant at the gate of the barracks.
"Here's one who's going to amuse himself," grumbled the sergeant. "Pass, Corporal!"
Fandor smiled joyously: but the smile did not express his real feelings.
Instead of making directly for the road to the frontier, he strolled about the town, went by roundabout ways, returned on his steps, assuring himself that he was not being shadowed.