Mr. Hebblethwaite sighed.
"Perhaps so," he admitted. "One can only act according to one's convictions. You must remember, though, Norgate, that we don't carry our pacificism to extremes. Our navy is and always will be an irresistible defence."
"Even with hostile naval and aeroplane bases at—say—Calais, Boulogne,
Dieppe, Ostend?"
Mr. Hebblethwaite pushed a box of cigars towards his guest, glanced at the clock, and rose.
"Young fellow," he said, "I have engaged a box at the Empire. Let us move on."
CHAPTER XI
"My position as a Cabinet Minister," Mr. Hebblethwaite declared, with a sigh, "renders my presence in the Promenade undesirable. If you want to stroll around, Norgate, don't bother about me."
Norgate picked up his hat. "Jolly good show," he remarked. "I'll be back before it begins again."
He descended to the lower Promenade and sauntered along towards the refreshment bar. Mrs. Paston Benedek, who was seated in the stalls, leaned over and touched his arm.
"My friend," she exclaimed, "you are distrait! You walk as though you looked for everything and saw nothing. And behold, you have found me!"