Every one else attributed it to an amiable conclusion on Percival's part to sacrifice himself for others by walking almost twice as far as any of them.

As a matter of fact, he had nothing of the sort in mind.

He deliberately arranged it so that all operations should be carried on between headquarters and "home." It was his plan to drive inward instead of outward, to push always in one direction.

In other words, thought Fitts quite correctly, he "never had to look behind him for trouble." To save his life, Percival could not subdue the eager, devouring gleam that flashed into his eyes as he looked into hers.

He could have cursed himself.