Hiram found Dick in his billet, reading a letter. Dick received the news of the awards and of Hiram's appointment very quietly.
"Jack Davenport has gone west," he said.
Hiram sat down and stared at Dick without a word.
"This letter is from Kathleen," continued Dick. "She says Jack went out on Monday to visit some of the people he helps. He had taken on six more widows and seven more babies since the Vimy show. On his way home toward evening he and Wilson were outside the Blackfriars underground station, looking for a taxi, when a lorry took a skid fair at an old woman and little boy who were just making the curb. Wilson swears that Jack jumped from the curb as if there were nothing wrong with him, landed fair in front of the lorry, knocked the old woman and kid out from under, but fell before he could get clear himself."
"Killed?"
"Instantly."
Hiram gazed down at his muddy boots, and Dick continued to regard the letter in his hand.
"Can you beat it?" said Hiram at last.
Dick got up and paced about the little room, busy with his thoughts. Finally he spoke.
"Sacobie is flying, and you are booked for the States, and I am going to transfer to Jack's old lot," he said slowly.