“Is it as important as that, Colonel?” said the Major, even more hoarsely if anything.

“It is, Major.”

The Major’s voice sank to a whisper.

“What would not Hindenburg give to see it,” he muttered.

“Ay,” said the Colonel.  “I say that to myself day and night:  ’What not what—­what would what—­’ Well, I say it to myself day and night.  For this reason, Major, I have decided to entrust the news to no one but yourself.  Our Officers are good lads and a credit to the dear old Regiment”—­they saluted as before—­“but in a matter of this sort one cannot be too discreet.”

“You are right, Colonel.”

The Colonel looked round the room apprehensively and brought his chair a little closer to the Major.

“The secret contained in this document—­Are we alone?”

“Except for each other, Colonel.”

“The secret,” went on the Colonel, “is this:  that, on and after the 23rd of the month, men in category X3 are to be included in category X2.”

“My God,” gasped the Major, “if Hindenburg knew!”

“He must not know, Major,” said the Colonel simply.  “I can trust you not to disclose this until the time is ripe?”

“You can trust me, Colonel.”

They grasped hands and saluted.

At this moment the door opened and an orderly came in.

“You’re wanted by the Sergeant-Major, sir,” he told the Colonel.

“Ah, excuse me a moment,” said the latter to his second in command, knowing how much it annoys a sergeant-major to be kept waiting.  He saluted and hurried out.

“Just a moment, orderly,” said the Major.

The orderly came back.  “Yes, sir,” he said.

“Did you give that message to Miss Blowhard?”

“Yes, sir.  She says she cannot play golf with you to-morrow because she is playing with Second-Lieutenant Lord Smith.”  He saluted and withdrew.

Left alone the Major gave vent to his rage.  “Lord Smith!” he stormed.  “Curse him!  What can she see in that puppy?  Thrice have I used my influence to send him away on a musketry course, and thrice has he returned.  Could I but turn him out of the Regiment for good, I might win the love of the fair Miss Blowhard, the Colonel’s daughter.”  In a sudden passion he picked up the “Manual of Military Law” and flung it to the ground.

All at once an idea struck him and a crafty look came into his eyes.

“By jove,” he cried, “the secret document!  The very thing.”

To put the document into an envelope was the work of a moment.  Taking up a pen he printed on the outside in large capitals these words: 

FOR HINDENBURG,
GERMANY

With a diabolical smile he sealed the envelope up, rang the bell, and ordered Second-Lieutenant Lord Smith to be brought before him.

“You wanted me, sir?” said Lord Smith on his arrival.