"I see. Back from the trenches with a leg."
"It's nearly well. I'll be back soon."
"Can you walk?" asked the airman so[pg 82] abruptly that Wayland, looking at him, hesitated, he did not quite know why.
"Not very far," he replied, cautiously. "I can get to the window with my crutches pretty well."
And the next moment he felt ashamed of his caution when the airman laughed frankly.
"I need a guide to some petrol," he said. "Evidently you can't go with me."
"Haven't you enough petrol to take you to Lorient?"
"How far is Lorient?"
Wayland told him.
"I don't know," said the flight-lieutenant; "I'll have to try to get somewhere. I suppose it is useless for me to ask," he added, "but have you, by any chance, a bit of canvas—an old sail or hammock?—I don't need much. That's what I came for—and some shellac and wire, and a screwdriver of sorts? We need patching as well as petrol; and we're a little short of supplies."