“Did you hear anything about it, Monroe?” enquired Barry.
“No, sir. I don't believe these rumours at all. They are always flying about.”
“But you say you got it over the wires?” said Barry to the signaller.
“Yes, sir. That is, sir, of course, we get a lot of messages. Perhaps I'm mixed up,” said the signaller in very evident confusion.
“And you haven't heard anything, Monroe?” said Barry.
“No, sir, not a thing, and I think I would have heard if there had been any truth in it.”
Something in the childlike expression of innocence upon Monroe's face wakened Barry's suspicion.
“Look here, Monroe,” he said, “don't lie to me. Now, I'm talking to you as your chaplain. Tell me the truth. Have you heard of the battalion going in to-morrow?”
Under Barry's eye Monroe began to squirm.
“Well, sir, to tell you the truth, I did hear a rumour of that kind.”