"You had Deringham and Miss Deringham staying with you ?" "Yes," said Alton.

"They are connections of mine, and Miss Deringham did a good deal for me when I was sick a little while ago.

You knew them in the old country ?" There was, though he strove to suppress it, something in his voice which caused the naval officer to glance at him sharply.

"Oh, yes," he said.

"I knew them--rather well." The men's eyes met, and both were conscious that the words might have been amplified, while it was with a slight abruptness they returned to the previous topic and discussed it until there was a rattle of wheels in the drive.