Mr.Hebblethwaite munched a biscuit and sipped his sherry.

Presently the latter laid down the telephone and reported success.
"Mr.Spencer Wyatt was on his way to a city dinner, sir," he announced.
"They caught him in the hall and he will call here." Mr.Hebblethwaite nodded.

"See that he is sent up directly he comes." In less than five minutes Mr.Spencer Wyatt was ushered in.

He was wearing the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet--a tall, broad-shouldered man, fair complexioned, and with the bearing of a sailor.
"Hullo, Hebblethwaite, what's wrong ?" he asked.

"Your message just caught me.