If he can't be proved guilty of desertion he'll be cleared." "How long will that take ?" Jeremy demanded.
His voice rang sharp with the challenge note that means debate has ceased and quarrel started.

It isn't the right note for dissolving difficulties.
"Couldn't tell you," said the brigadier.

"My advice to you is to keep yourself as inconspicuous as possible until the administrator gets back." It was good advice, but Grim, standing behind the brigadier, made signals to Jeremy in vain.

Few Australians talk peace when there is no peace, and when there's a fight in prospect they like to get it over.
"I remember you," said Jeremy, speaking rather, slowly, and throwing in a little catchy laugh that was like a war-cry heard through a microphone.

"You were the Fusileer major they lent to the Jordan Highlanders--fine force that--no advance without security--lost two men, if I remember--snakebite one; the other shot for looting.