He had ridden along another mile when, near a farmhouse he espied a soldier in the road, strolling with a young woman.
As the horse gained upon the young couple the soldier glanced backward, then swung the girl to the side of the road and halted beside her, drawing himself up to attention and saluting smartly.
The man was Private Lawrence of his own company.
"Good evening," Dick nodded, pleasantly.
"Good evening, sir," replied the private.
Dick didn't ask, as some officers would have done, whether the soldier had pass to be out of camp.

He could ascertain that on his return to camp.

Instead, he said: "You must have this road pretty nearly to yourself, Lawrence, as far as soldiers go." "There's at least one other, sir," the soldier replied, in a matter of fact way.

"I saw one slip by in the field, close to the road.
I won't be sure, but I think it was Private Mock, sir." "He has friends down this way ?" Dick asked casually.
"Not that I ever heard of, sir.

There aren't many houses on this road.