Chapter 16

THE PASSING OF McCUAIG



At Poperinghe the leave train was waiting in the station, and a little company of officers and men were having their papers examined preparatory to their securing transportation. Some of the officers were from his own brigade and were known to Barry.

"A big push on at the front, I hear," said one of them to a friend.

"Yes, major," said his friend. "They have been having a perfect hell of a time."

"By the way, your men are going in to-morrow, I understand," said the major, turning to Barry.

"I don't think so, major," replied Barry. "We have just come out."

"Oh, well, I had it from fairly good authority that they were going in to-morrow night."

Barry hunted up Monroe, whom he found talking to a signaller of the battalion.

"Did you boys hear anything about the battalion going up to-morrow?"

"Yes, sir," said the signaller promptly. "We had it over the wires. They are going in, all right, to-morrow night."

Monroe kicked the signaller on the ankle.

"Did you hear anything about it, Monroe?" enquired Barry.

"No, sir. I don't believe these rumours at all. They are always flying about."

"But you say you got it over the wires?" said Barry to the signaller.

"Yes, sir. That is, sir, of course, we get a lot of messages. Perhaps I'm mixed up," said the signaller in very evident confusion.

"And you haven't heard anything, Monroe?" said Barry.

"No, sir, not a thing, and I think I would have heard if there had been any truth in it."

Something in the childlike expression of innocence upon Monroe's face wakened Barry's suspicion.

"Look here, Monroe," he said, "don't lie to me. Now, I'm talking to you as your chaplain. Tell me the truth. Have you heard of the battalion going in to-morrow?"

Under Barry's eye Monroe began to squirm.

"Well, sir, to tell you the truth, I did hear a rumour of that kind."

"And you?" said Barry, turning upon the signaller, "tell me the truth."

"Well, sir, it's just as I said. We had it over the wires. The battalion is going in."

"Very well, get my stuff, Monroe," said Barry, quietly. "I'm going back."

"I beg your pardon, sir."

"Do you hear me? Get my stuff; I'm not going out to-night." Barry's tone admitted no further talk, and Monroe, swearing deeply at his friend the signaller and at his own stupidity, and especially at his own "lack of nerve to see his lie through," hunted out Barry's baggage and stood ready for his officer to return.

"Hello,