Asked if he expected to be back a third time, the colonel, 43 years old, laughed and said, "Perhaps as a tourist."

For the first time, the older colonel's eyes took in the blood and gore on the Northern Guard uniforms.

The one you spluttered over like an old colonel.

To Kong's surprise, the old colonel's shoulders started to quiver.

Even the old colonel, whose nerves were as hard as piano-wires, started back and cried "God bless me!"

As for the old colonel, his square features simply sagged.

For Cranston's eyes, watching the old colonel mildly, carried a deeper insight than they disclosed.

The old colonel caught his mistake even as he spoke, cursing himself, wishing he could bite back the words.

The old Irish colonel and his old wife rose from their table and he stood aside to let her pass.

Then, just as the old colonel feared he had blown a line, the red targeting beams switched off.