"Not what you appear to think, sir," Captain Bannister replied stiffly. "We require from Mr. Bundercombe a written confession and his resignation from the Sidney Club."
"The what club?" I asked dubiously.
"The Sidney Club," Captain Bannister repeated, with dignity. "The club in question may not be very large, but it is quite well known, and I had the misfortune to act as Mr. Bundercombe's sponsor there."
I glanced toward my prospective father-in-law. He nodded.
"They put me up for some sort of a pothouse," he admitted, "and I handed over a tenner, I think it was, for my subscription. Rotten little hole somewhere near the Haymarket! I've never been in since. I'll resign, with pleasure!"
"And write a confession of your misdemeanor, sir?" Captain Bannister persisted.
Mr. Bundercombe scratched his chin.
"I'll write an account of the whole affair," he remarked dryly.
Captain Bannister took up his hat.
"I regret," he declared, "that Mr. Bundercombe's attitude does not encourage a continuation of this conversation. We will not detain you further, gentlemen."