"What has been," he smiled, "is no longer. What is," he smiled again, "shall continue."
"Always," said Ruth. Her look left no doubt of that
"By God," Stannard said suddenly, looking up radiantly and lifting his fist, "I can conquer the world!"
He checked himself. His' hand dropped, and he looked whimsically at H.M.
"Sir Henry," he said, "it seems an "extraordinary thing that only a fortnight ago, in this room, I said I mustn't keep late hours. What is it now? Close on four." He glanced towards Martin and Jenny. "Exactly when, my dear fellow, are you getting married?"
"Tomorrow," Martin answered, "at Westminister registry office. We take the afternoon plane for Paris."
"My new car," chuckled Stannard, "is downstairs. Just as it was a fortnight ago. There's no petrol for long distances. But suppose the four of us drive out to Virginia Water and see the sun come up?"
There was almost a scramble to get up. Much attention from Jenny and Ruth was bestowed on H.M, who endured this with a stuffed and stoical look; like a world-weary Curtius Merrivale. Then it was broken.
"Captain Drake," said Lady Brayle, getting up from her chair beside the window and adjusting her shoulders.
Dead silence.