The Kingdom of the Blind

ave remarkably little difficulty in procuring the interview he desired. He was conducted by a boy scout into a room on the second floor of the War Office, within

. We've been expec

u for that, sir,"

neral

his own house before breakfast this morning. I had reports of three other men occupying responsible positions in the city,

tle glitter in

ng away the foundations of the country, and, damn it all, when we put a clear case to them, when we show them men whom we know to be dangerous, they laugh at us and tell us that it isn't our department! They

omson well enough to be aware how unusual s

worked up, Majo

aged, and yet even now we haven't a free hand. You and I, who control the secret service of the army, denounce certain men, upon no slight evidence, either, as spies, and we are laughed at!

hole organisation, this depending on the civil powers. Two of my cases were absolutely flagrant. As regards yours, Thomso

f he can. But for the merest accident in the world, the night before last he would ha

neral

talking?"

th the halo of a brilliant escape from the Germans, wounded, a young man of good family and connections, and apparently as keen as mustard to get back again in the fighting line. Good Heavens! The most careful sailor in the world migh

gst the papers on his desk and brought out at last a fl

ad this,

etter was an autograph one of a few lines only,

ear

pacity. Keep him at home. Mind, I am not saying word against him as a soldier. He has done some splendid work on mor

r y

s to our friend?"

neral replied. "He smiled in a supercilious m

face was very set and he had the air

he clock on his desk, "Granet is in my anteroom at the presen

ty desk over there. I can be making some calculations with reference to the

nodded and t

anet in," he told the bo

as leaning a little less heavily upon his stick and he had taken his arm from the sling for a moment. He saluted the Genera

eneral inquired, "how

e seen my own doctor this morning and he thinks

t does t

k again, sir," Gra

e streaming through the high, uncurtained windows. Although he was still a little haggard, his eyes were bright, his lips were parted in an anticipa

ed him quietly, "but you won't be fit enoug

g man's

be wanting me back, s

al shook

heard from your Brigadier only yesterday. He has been obliged to fill

oked a li

made a temporary appoin

d out. "What about finding you a billet at home for a time, e

go out and d

, with a sheet of foolscap in his hand, clo

soner again, Captain Gra

silence. The young man's lips ha

or Thomson," he said calmly.

General's desk. "Forgive my interrupting you, sir, but you told me to let you have this as soon as I ha

anced at the p

later on. Well, Captain Granet," he added, "you'd better

on't get out to the Front again soon

n," the General repeat

door was closed. General Bric

ieve it. However, we'll find him a billet

geon-Major Thomson observed bitterly, "he would never do any mo

ce raised h

ff again?"

Thomson replied. "I shall cross over to-day an

ce nodded t

l have a few reports. You'd better let them know a

k hands with the General a

id, "I hope I'll be able