In that blackness there was an occasional flash of lightning and rumble of thunder.

On the roof of the barracks the rain beat steadily and monotonously.
His watch was in his hand--it was a quarter after nine o'clock, when he heard the door at the far exit of the hall open and close.

He had heard it a dozen times since supper and paid no attention to it, but this time it was followed by a voice at the detachment office that hit him like an electrical shock.

Then, a moment later, came low laughter.

It was a woman who laughed.
He stood up.