'Who was that spoke?' demanded Colonel Conway.
'I, sir,' answered Ken, saluting. 'Carrington.'
'Aren't you the man who knows this country?'
'I have been in the Peninsula before, sir.'
'Hm, and do you think you could find those snipers?'
'I do, sir.' Ken spoke very quietly, but inwardly he was trembling with eagerness. Was it possible that his impulsive remark was going to be taken up in earnest?
The colonel spoke in a whisper to O'Brien, and the sergeant answered. Then he turned to Ken.
'You may pick three men and try it. You'll have to stalk them, of course. If you can't reach them come back. No one will think any the worse of you if you fail.'
'Thank you, sir,' said Ken, his heart almost bursting with gratitude. His chance had come, and he meant to make the most of it.