Now, it sends me to you." His tone, at first eager and joyous, as was fitting in an old friend meeting an old friend, now became very grave, and John looked at him with some apprehension.

Captain Colton motioned to a small stool.
"Sit down," he said to Weber.

Then he offered the Alsatian a match and a cigarette which were accepted gratefully.

He made the same offer to John, who shook his head saying that he did not smoke.

The captain took two or three deliberate puffs, and contemplated Weber who had made himself comfortable on the stool.
"Military duty ?" he asked.