Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/237

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ACTIVITY OF A DEAD CITY
201


their driver backed them between two house walls. The two chauffeurs commenced to change the wheel with frantic haste. A military policeman appeared from some hiding place and walked briskly up.

"It's a bad place for that, sir, this morning."

Things seem pretty warm in here this morning," Williams said.

The military policeman waved his stick.

"Just had a piece of shell through my window, sir. Listen for yourself."

The foreign office man and I lighted cigarettes.

About our misgivings we draped a vast indifference.

"No comfort smoking in the cars in this wind," he said.

Williams moved about close to the wall restlessly.

"What's the best way in?" he asked the policeman.

The policeman pointed down the deserted street, half blocked by rubbish here and there.

"Five blocks straight. Turn to your right at a busted lamp-post marked roo dulla hop-pittle."

One asks the route so on an ordinary motor trip.

The military policeman had done his duty. After warning us he didn't linger. The drivers