"Not at all," said Strange. He had not an idea that he was in the presence of the two shrewdest men in those parts. To him they were just a couple of languid people whom it was his duty to arouse, and he told his story as vividly as he could.
"And what do you deduce from these mysterious signs?" asked the Consul.
Strange's answer was prompt.
"German submarines in the Mediterranean."
"Oh! And why not the Channel?" asked Mr. Taylor. "These steamers are on their way there."
To that question there was no reply. Strange rose. "I thought that I ought to tell you what I had noticed," he said stiffly.
"Thank you, yes. And I am very grateful," replied Taylor.
Major Slingsby, however, followed Strange out of the room.
"Will you lunch with me?" he asked, and the question sent the blood rushing into Strange's face. He swung between his instinct to hide his head from any man who was doing service and his craving to converse with a fellow-countryman. The craving won.
"I shall be very pleased," he stammered.