He ate obediently; later he submitted to the razor and clothes brush, absently pondering the problem that obsessed him: "Why had Hallam spared Letty; how could he convey the truth to Ailsa Paige ?" At dusk he reported to the ward-master; but Colonel Arran was asleep, and there were no orders for him.
Then, slowly, he went into the adjoining ward.

Ailsa was off duty, lying down in her room.

His message asking a moment's interview was refused.
So he turned away again, head bent, and wandered over to his store-room quarters, pondering the problem before him..