But he could see a way out.
The more desperate the emergency the more need to display finesse.
Above all, he must avoid an immediate rupture.
He came ashore with Iris and her father; the captain of the _Orient_ also joined the party.

The three men watched Robert and the girl walking towards them from the group of officers.
"Anstruther is a smart-looking fellow," commented Captain Fitzroy.

"Who is he ?" Truth to tell, the gallant commander of the _Orient_ was secretly amazed by the metamorphosis effected in Robert's appearance since he scrutinized him through his glasses.

Iris, too, unaccustomed to the constraint of high-heeled shoes, clung to the nondescript's arm in a manner that shook the sailor's faith in Lord Ventnor's pretensions as her favored suitor.
Poor Sir Arthur said not a word, but his lordship was quite at ease-- "From his name, and from what Deane tells me, I believe he is an ex-officer of the Indian Army." "Ah.

He has left the service ?" "Yes.