An office with mud-stained boots and wind-tossed hair, who looked as though he had been out all night, stood on the steps of the house and welcomed Thomson.
"Hullo, Major," he called out, "just across, eh ?" "This moment," Thomson assented.

"Anything fresh ?" "Nothing to speak of," the other replied.

"We've just had a message in that the French have been giving them a knock.

We've had a quiet time the last two days.

They're bringing up some more Bavarians, we think." "Do you think I could have a few words with the General ?" Major Thomson asked.
"Come in and have some coffee.