“Can you put a squad on to digging a grave?” he inquired of the officer in charge. “If so, though I'm in an awful hurry, I'll stay to bury those poor chaps.”
“Sure thing, we can,” said the officer. “We'll do the very best we can to hurry it.”
In about an hour and a half Barry was on his way again. He dodged the shelling at the crossroads, and following a track across the open fields, arrived at the Zillebeck Bund without adventure.
Here to his relief he found the battalion. He made his way at once to Headquarters, and walked in upon a meeting of officers.
“Well, I'm—” exclaimed Colonel Leighton, checking himself hard, “who have we here! What in hell are you doing here, Pilot? I thought you would be safely in old Blighty by this time,” he added, shaking him warmly by the hand.
“Oh, you couldn't work that game on me, colonel,” said Barry cheerily, going round the group of men, who gave him an eager welcome. “You thought you had shipped me off, just as the fun was starting, but I got on to you.”
“Well, I'll be darned,” said Major Bayne. “How did you find out?”
Barry told him, adding, “You will have to train your man to lie more cheerfully.”
“That's what comes of a man's environment,” said the major, disgustedly. “I was always too truthful, anyway.”
“Well, sir,” said Barry, turning to the colonel. “I'm awfully glad to find you here. I was afraid I'd lost you.”