CHAPTER XII.
'Hullo, Aubrey! what brings you here ?' And with the words Arthur Chicksands, just emerging from the War Office, stopped to greet a brother officer, who was just entering it.
'Nothing much.

I shan't be long.

Can you wait a bit ?' 'Right you are.

I've got to leave a note at the Ministry of Munitions, but I'll be back in a few minutes.' Arthur Chicksands went his way to Whitehall Gardens, while Major Mannering disappeared into the inner regions of that vast building where dwell the men on whom hang the fortunes of an Empire.

Arthur walking fast up Whitehall was very little aware of the scene about him.