'Well, that sounds pretty good.'
'Not good enough. You don't happen to know if there's any sherry anywhere, do you?'
'Not for certain, but I very much doubt if there's any within reach. Try some of this.'
Hunter offered his water-container.
'What is it?'
'Never mind what it is. It's very good for you and that's all you need to know.'
'Mm. Thanks.' Leonard drank. 'My God, I hope it is good for me.'
'What's happened to Best, do you think?'
'Don't ask me. He must have gone to ground somewhere and then got out somehow.'
'I see. But he can't have walked all the way here from the asylum, can he? He must have driven part of the way. Why don't you put a watch on his car?'
'I would if I knew where it was. I've left a section out looking for it. I had a man detailed to follow him on a scooter, but the scooter had a flat tire. I shall get a rocket from my master for that.'
'Make sure you accelerate it when you pass it on. Well, well. You don't strike it very lucky, do you, Brian?'
'Things are bound to turn my way soon. I just know they will.'
Eventually the convoy was ready. After an unaccountable delay of unexpectedly short duration it moved off. Hunter was driving behind the second of the two lorries full of infantrymen that enclosed the stores vehicle. At his side was the quartermaster-sergeant who worked under him. They had reached the point where the track joined the road and traveled a few hundred yards more when the lorry in front stopped suddenly. Hunter pulled up. After a few moments he heard shouting somewhere ahead.
'More fun and games,' said the QMS.
'Let's see what's up. Come on, Q.'
The deep ditch on one side of the road and the bank on the other made it difficult to get round the lorry. When they managed it, they saw the stores vehicle leaning slightly over to one side with one front wheel overhanging the ditch and considerable flames coming out of its engine, the cover of which was raised. Half a dozen men ran about in the roadway calling to one another.
'Shut the bloody lid.'
'Bugger's stuck.'
'Where's that bloody fire-extinguisher?'
'Bugger's stuck.'
'Get the major out before she goes up.'
'Bugger won't move.'
The QMS turned and hurried towards the lorry behind. Hunter went to the cab of the burning vehicle, where Venables was sitting in the passenger's seat reading a sheaf of typescript.
'I think I must advise you to vacate your seat, Major. This truck is on fire.'
'So I see. But there are present a more than adequate number of persons well qualified to deal with the matter. Let them extinguish the flames.'
'The windshield may shatter at any moment. You'd do better out here in the road.'
'I am unable to leave. The door on this side is jammed against the hedge.'
'Come out this way. Get a move on, Major.'
'My name is Venables. Oh, very well.'
By the time Hunter had got Venables out of the cab Leonard had appeared. Making his way to the scene must have cost him some effort. A button had come off his jacket and there was a fresh scratch on his cheek. He too had begun shouting.
'Get the stores off quick. Everybody on it. Unload the stores.'
The lane was now jammed with soldiery, but some response to Leonard's order was soon made. Two men let down the tailboard and began shifting the arms and ammunition, much less gently than at the original unloading that morning. The fire itself, though now firmly established in the fore part of the vehicle, attracted less interest. Two rifles and a box of ammunition were in the roadway before the QMS could push his way through with a fire-extinguisher and start playing it on the flames. They died down reluctantly at first, then, when a driver ran up and applied a second extinguisher, were rapidly quenched. A murmur of relief arose. At that moment Hunter, who had been gazing into the thick woods bordering the road, grabbed Leonard's arm.
'Brian-look. There. Did you see him?'
'Who? Where?'
'Best. By that tree with the ivy on it. He turned and ran when he saw me looking at him. I'm almost sure it was him.'
Leonard did not hesitate. He pulled a whistle from his pocket at the end of its lanyard and blew a great blast. Silence fell at once.
'Optimus is in this wood,' he yelled. 'I want him caught. Everybody on it. Move. At the double. I want
