rie of her own accord. She always left such mention
to him. He told himself that doubtless it was this
quietude of manner which had attracted his reserved
client.

"I suppose," he said at last, "that we must presume
that Major Guthrie is alive till we have an official statement
to the contrary?" And then he was startled to
see the vivid expression of pain, almost of anguish,
which quivered over her eyes and mouth. Then she
did care, after all.

"Howse tells me," she said slowly, "that Major
Guthrie is probably a prisoner. He says, he says----"
and then she stopped abruptly -- it was as if she could
not go on with her sentence, and Mr. Allen exclaimed,
"I heard what he said, Mrs. Otway. Of course he is
right in stating that an effort is always made to find
and bring in the bodies of dead officers. But I fear
that this war is not at all like the only war of which
Howse has had any first-hand knowledge. This last
week has been a very bad business. Still, I quite agree
that we must not give up hope. I have been wondering
whether you would like me to make inquiries at the
War Office, or whether you have any better and quicker --
I mean of course by that any private -- means of
procuring information?"

"No," she said hopelessly; "I have no way of finding
out anything. And I should be very grateful indeed,
Mr. Allen, if you would do what you can." For
the first time she spoke as if she had a direct interest
in Major Guthrie's fate. "Perhaps" -- she fixed her
eyes on him appealingly, and he saw them slowly fill
up and brim over with tears -- "Perhaps if you _should_

[[197]]

p196 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p197w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p198

v?