“He couldn’t pull with the present Government. They hampered him too much.”
“Beastly shame! They don’t know a good man when they’ve got him. Who succeeds him—Chambers?”
“No, they’ve put in another man. Mr Ladell has been promoted Inspector. Oh—and that man who helped you in that absurdly foolhardy adventure, Dick—Sketchley—has been made a sergeant. That’s all the F.A.M. Police news.”
“That part’s good, anyway. What about the Commandant? Hasn’t he got anything better?”
“There’s some talk of giving him Basutoland.”
“Oh, well, that’s not so bad. The fine old chap’ll have lots of time to hunt butterflies and lizards up there.”
“They say there’s likely to be trouble up there,” went on Hazel. “Now, Mr Greenoak, what will South Africa do without its ‘providence’?”
“Yes. I knew that,” said Greenoak, ignoring the last question. “The Commandant and I have often talked it over as more than a possibility.”
“Then you’ll be there, old chap,” cried Dick. “Oh, for certain you’ll be there.”
“Maybe. I’m thinking of returning soon.”