"Um. Which is your battalion, and company?"
"The fifth, sir—'C' Comp'ny."
Bill was beginning to realize that Eustace had, in his muddle-headed way, landed them in a very tight corner. He would have lied had he dared; but he knew that there must be scores of men serving now with the Reserve who had known both himself and Alf at the front.
"That's Captain Richards' company, isn't it?"
"Yessir. But the Captain went away on a course yesterday, sir, and Lieutenant Donaldson is in command now."
"Yesterday? How d'you know that?"
Bill had seen his slip as soon as he made it.
"I 'eard 'e was goin' before I left, sir," he answered readily.
"Um. And you don't know why you've been sent back?"
"No, sir."