"May I ask, my lad," I said, in the blandest voice, "what your trade may be ?" "Commissionaire, sir," he said, gruffly.

"Uniform away for repairs." "And you were ?" I asked, with a slightly malicious glance at my companion.
"A sergeant, sir, Royal Marine Light Infantry, sir.

No answer?
Right, sir." He clicked his heels together, raised his hand in a salute, and was gone..