“There’s one thing that’s positively invaluable; a Zeiss lens, in perfect condition.  I’ve got several good photographic outfits from time to time, but the lenses are always cracked by heat,—­the things usually come down on fire.  This one I got out of a plane I brought down up at Bar-le-Duc, and there’s not a scratch on it; simply a miracle.”

“You get all the loot when you bring down a machine, do you?” Claude asked encouragingly.

“Of course.  I’ve a good collection; altimeters and compasses and glasses.  This lens I always carry with me, because I’m afraid to leave it anywhere.”

“I suppose it makes a fellow feel pretty fine to bring down one of those German planes.”

“Sometimes.  I brought down one too many, though; it was very unpleasant.”  Victor paused, frowning.  But Claude’s open, credulous face was too much for his reserve.  “I brought down a woman once.  She was a plucky devil, flew a scouting machine and had bothered us a bit, going over our lines.  Naturally, we didn’t know it was a woman until she came down.  She was crushed underneath things.  She lived a few hours and dictated a letter to her people.  I went out and dropped it inside their lines.  It was nasty business.  I was quite knocked out.  I got a fortnight’s leave in London, though.  Wheeler,” he broke out suddenly, “I wish I knew we were going there now!”

“I’d like it well enough if we were.”

Victor shrugged.  “I should hope so!” He turned his chin in Claude’s direction.  “See here, if you like, I’ll show you London!  It’s a promise.  Americans never see it, you know.  They sit in a Y. hut and write to their Pollyannas, or they go round hunting for the Tower.  I’ll show you a city that’s alive; that is, unless you’ve a preference for museums.”

His listener laughed.  “No, I want to see life, as they say.”

“Umph!  I’d like to set you down in some places I can think of.  Very well, I invite you to dine with me at the Savoy, the first night we’re in London.  The curtain will rise on this world for you.  Nobody admitted who isn’t in evening dress.  The jewels will dazzle you.  Actresses, duchesses, all the handsomest women in Europe.”

“But I thought London was dark and gloomy since the war.”

Victor smiled and teased his small straw-coloured moustache with his thumb and middle finger.  “There are a few bright spots left, thank you!” He began to explain to a novice what life at the front was really like.  Nobody who had seen service talked about the war, or thought about it; it was merely a condition under which they lived.  Men talked about the particular regiment they were jealous of, or the favoured division that was put in for all the show fighting.  Everybody thought about his own game, his personal life that he managed to keep going in spite of discipline; his next leave, how to get champagne without paying for it, dodging the guard, getting into scrapes with women and getting out again.  “Are you quick with your French?” he asked.