CHAPTER V

THE CREEPING DEATH One evening at the club, Mr. Trupp asked the Colonel what had happened to Captain Royal. "He went through the Staff College, and now he's at the War Office, I believe," the other answered curtly. "Ever hear from him?" asked Mr. Trupp, warily. "No," said the Colonel. "He's not a friend of mine." And to save himself and an old brother-officer for whom he had neither liking nor respect, he changed the conversation to the theme that haunted him. Mr. Trupp might chaff the Colonel about his _idée fix…