‘Been up all night,’ he said cheerfully, lighting a cigarette.  ’No, I haven’t had breakfast.  The skipper thought we’d better get another anti-aircraft battery up this way, and I was superintendin’ the job.  He’s afraid of the Hun gettin’ over your lines and spying out the nakedness of the land.  For, you know, we’re uncommon naked, sir.  Also,’ and Archie’s face became grave, ‘the Hun’s pourin’ divisions down on this sector.  As I judge, he’s blowin’ up for a thunderin’ big drive on both sides of the river.  Our lads yesterday said all the country back of Peronne was lousy with new troops.  And he’s gettin’ his big guns forward, too.  You haven’t been troubled with them yet, but he has got the roads mended and the devil of a lot of new light railways, and any moment we’ll have the five-point-nines sayin’ Good-mornin’ . . .  Pray Heaven you get relieved in time, sir.  I take it there’s not much risk of another push this mornin’?’

’I don’t think so.  The Boche took a nasty knock yesterday, and he must fancy we’re pretty strong after that counter-attack.  I don’t think he’ll strike till he can work both sides of the river, and that’ll take time to prepare.  That’s what his fresh divisions are for . . .  But remember, he can attack now, if he likes.  If he knew how weak we were he’s strong enough to send us all to glory in the next three hours.  It’s just that knowledge that you fellows have got to prevent his getting.  If a single Hun plane crosses our lines and returns, we’re wholly and utterly done.  You’ve given us splendid help since the show began, Archie.  For God’s sake keep it up to the finish and put every machine you can spare in this sector.’

‘We’re doin’ our best,’ he said.  ‘We got some more fightin’ scouts down from the north, and we’re keepin’ our eyes skinned.  But you know as well as I do, sir, that it’s never an ab-so-lute certainty.  If the Hun sent over a squadron we might beat ’em all down but one, and that one might do the trick.  It’s a matter of luck.  The Hun’s got the wind up all right in the air just now and I don’t blame the poor devil.  I’m inclined to think we haven’t had the pick of his push here.  Jennings says he’s doin’ good work in Flanders, and they reckon there’s the deuce of a thrust comin’ there pretty soon.  I think we can manage the kind of footler he’s been sendin’ over here lately, but if Lensch or some lad like that were to choose to turn up I wouldn’t say what might happen.  The air’s a big lottery,’ and Archie turned a dirty face skyward where two of our planes were moving very high towards the east.

The mention of Lensch brought Peter to mind, and I asked if he had gone back.

‘He won’t go,’ said Archie, ’and we haven’t the heart to make him.  He’s very happy, and plays about with the Gladas single-seater.  He’s always speakin’ about you, sir, and it’d break his heart if we shifted him.’

I asked about his health, and was told that he didn’t seem to have much pain.