You remember the night before he started ?" "Yes," said Dawson, and he hitched his chair a little nearer.

Calder was the one man in Wadi Halfa who could claim something like intimacy with Durrance.

Despite their difference in rank there was no great disparity in age between the two men, and from the first when Calder had come inexperienced and fresh from England, but with a great ardour to acquire a comprehensive experience, Durrance in his reticent way had been at pains to show the newcomer considerable friendship.

Calder, therefore, might be likely to know.
"I too remember that night," said Walters.

"Durrance dined at the mess and went away early to prepare for his journey." "His preparations were made already," said Calder.