On the contrary, it had proved to be something permanent.
Yet it had never interfered with his efficiency as a soldier, nor his record for a dare-devil courage.

There were many tales current of his exploits on the Somme, in which again and again he had singed the beard of Death, with an absolute recklessness of his own personal life, combined with the most anxious care for that of his men.

Since the battle of Messines he had been the head of a remarkable Officers' School at Aldershot, mainly organized by himself.

But now, it seemed, he was moving heaven and earth to get back to France and the front.

Chicksands did not think he would achieve it.