At Poperinghe the leave train was waiting in the station, and a little company of officers and men were having their papers examined preparatory to their securing transportation. Some of the officers were from his own brigade and were known to Barry.
“A big push on at the front, I hear,” said one of them to a friend.
“Yes, major,” said his friend. “They have been having a perfect hell of a time.”
“By the way, your men are going in to-morrow, I understand,” said the major, turning to Barry.
“I don't think so, major,” replied Barry. “We have just come out.”
“Oh, well, I had it from fairly good authority that they were going in to-morrow night.”
Barry hunted up Monroe, whom he found talking to a signaller of the battalion.
“Did you boys hear anything about the battalion going up to-morrow?”
“Yes, sir,” said the signaller promptly. “We had it over the wires. They are going in, all right, to-morrow night.”
Monroe kicked the signaller on the ankle.