Considering the crowded state of the waiting-room and the number of highly important people who were there for the same purpose, Surgeon-Major Thomson seemed to have 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 a few minutes of his arrival.

A tall, grey-haired man in the uniform of a general looked up and nodded with an air of intimacy as soon as the door had been closed.
"Sit down, Thomson.

We've been expecting you.

Any news ?" "I have come to you for that, sir," the other replied.
The General sighed.
"I am afraid you will be disappointed," he said.