“If it busts up, there’s no earthly chance of getting another.”
“Why?” asked Baltazar.
“Because there’s a war on, old man. You don’t seem to understand.”
“I’m afraid I don’t,” said Baltazar. “You must grant me your kind indulgence. I can’t immediately realize what is happening.”
They climbed the rise that brought them into view of the Farm. Pillivant pointed to the smoking ruins.
“That’ll help you to realize it. That’s what Belgium and the northern part of France look like.”
“When I have found my friend Quong Ho alive,” said Baltazar, “I may be able to think of things.”
They worked their way, Dr. Rewsby’s lighter car following, almost to the low enclosing wall, and drew to a halt. Viewed on the approach, the havoc loomed before Baltazar’s eyes even more appalling than when he had stood dazed and sick in the midst of it. The battered granite shell of the house stood absurdly low, and the rough gaping apertures of door and windows stared like maimed features hideously human. The wall of the scullery had been thrown down by the explosion, and the pump and cistern and a shelf or two of broken crockery were grimly exposed. He wondered why he had not noticed this when he went to fetch water for Quong Ho. The byre by the wrecked stable no longer existed. The white Wyandotte cockerel, the sole living thing visible, pecked about the ground in jaunty unconcern.
As soon as they dismounted the party followed Baltazar, who strode ahead with the air of a man about to denounce a ghost. At the turn of the ruined house they came in sight of Quong Ho, lying as Baltazar had left him, the bowl of water untouched. The sun had gradually encroached upon him, and now the shadow of the wall cut his body in a long vertical line. His yellow face looked pinched and ghastly beneath the pink and white cotton of his bandaged head.
Baltazar’s face was almost as ghastly, and horrible fear dwelt in his eyes. He pointed.