"Never mind about what," Dawson said. "You want to bet?"
"No!" Freddy said firmly. "I'm too tired to be roped into anything by you. By the way, though, how is that cast-iron head of yours? You're certainly acting chipper enough."
"We Dawsons can take it," Dave grinned. "But lay off unpleasant memories, will you? So you won't bet, huh? Well, just the same, I'll bet you anything you like that we don't go on to Kingston from here. Or back to the Squadron, either. Now, what do you think of that?"
"I think you're balmy!" Freddy snorted.
"Okay, so he thinks I'm balmy," Dawson said, and waved a hand. "But I'm just telling you, that's all."
"Another one of your wonderful hunches, I suppose?" Freddy growled.
"Call it that if you like," Dawson shrugged. "But it's really a certain look in Colonel Fraser's eyes that makes me feel as I do."
"And just what do you feel, if I may be so bold as to ask?" young Farmer snapped.
Dave put a forefinger alongside his nose, winked, and nodded very mysteriously.
"The colonel has something cooking," he said. "And you can take it, or leave it!"