He glanced once more at Alf, and saw that the effects of his remarks were good.
"Now go," he said, "and remember, be very careful in future. You're both due for your month's leave in a short time, and it would be a pity to spoil it. That's all."
As the two saluted and shambled out their officer gave a rueful laugh.
"Now, I'd give a good deal," he said to himself, "to know just exactly what I was talking about just now, and what they thought I meant."
* * * * * * *
"What are we goin' to do now, Bill?" asked Alf miserably, as soon as they had left the company commander's presence.
"Do?" said Bill, who had recovered his balance to some extent. "Why, nothin'. What d'you want to do?"
"Well, it's all up, ain't it, now 'e knows all about it?"
"Rats!" said Bill contemptuously. "'Ow can 'e know all about it? I told you before that Don's no fool, but 'e ain't such a bloomin' conjurer as all that. 'E's just noticed that there's something funny about me an' you, that's all; an' 'e's got both eyes wide open now waitin' for next time. Well, there ain't got to be no next time, that's all."