"Let's get a smoke, Hil," said May, stopping at a tobacconist's, "it will heighten the illusion." And quite in the regulation manner they strolled along, puffing cigarettes.
Their confidence became so great that they returned to the hotel and enquired if two ladies had arrived. The porter answered in the affirmative, but said they were out at that moment. They continued their way, and entered the saloon of the "Royal."
"What are you drinking?" asked Hil.
"Brandy and soda, please," said May, as she squeezed the barmaid's hand on the sly.
"Let's sit down," said Hil, "and fix on our names. Mine is Percy."
"And mine is Jack," promptly answered her companion.
They sat at the table smoking and sipping the drinks before them, occasionally ogling the barmaid, when both were rather startled at the entrance of Hal and Reg. A covert kick from Hil made both extremely cautious.
"What will you try, Hal?" said Reg, with a casual glance round the room and a critical one at the ladies behind the bar.
"Ale, thanks. I wonder if there is an English boat in."
"That's meant for us: new chums," whispered Hil to May, and picking up the Evening Observer, she glanced over the contents.