"Well," said the sergeant in a resigned tone, "what did 'e do, any'ow?"
"'E took the book," resumed the romancer. "An' 'e said 'e'd like to read it. So I lent it to 'im, an' 'e promised to let me 'ave it back next time 'e was back restin'—stop me if I go too fast, Mr. Collins—an' as it 'appened I never seed 'im again."
"What 'appened to 'im?"
"I dunno for certain. But I did 'ear a rumor as 'ow 'e got nabbed, poor chap."
"Captured?"
"Yes. The Boche come over when 'is battalion was in the line."
"An' 'ow about the book?"
Bill considered a moment. The general consensus of opinion throughout the country insisted on regarding the Denmore Manor affair as the work of German spies. In Bill's eyes this was an exceedingly satisfactory opinion for the country to hold. He decided to give the country a little assistance.
"The book?" he repeated innocently. "I s'pose the Boche captured that, too."