A small, dark man, who had come round the corner of the chimney unperceived, was standing immediately behind him.
"I must trouble you all for your names and addresses, if you please," he announced quietly.
The two girls stared at him, dumbfounded.

Granet, however, remained perfectly at his ease.

He laid down the telescope and scrutinised the newcomer.
"I really don't altogether see," he remarked good humouredly, "why I should give my name and address to a perfect stranger just because he asks for it." The man opened his coat and displayed a badge.
"I am on Government service, sir." "Well, I am Captain Granet, back from the Front with dispatches a few days ago," Granet told him.

"This is Miss Conyers, sister of Commander Conyers of the _Scorpion,_ and Miss Olive Moreton, his fiancee.

We are waiting for Commander Conyers at the present moment, and we were just looking to see if the pinnace had started.