Aylmer realized that this was without doubt Jacob Van Arlen. He suspected, also, why the old man had thus addressed him without waiting for an introduction. For men who are introduced, amid the intimate sociabilities of the Tangier Tent Club, at any rate, usually shake hands. Van Arlen's right hand held his sombrero; his left was at his side.
Aylmer returned the bow.
"I did no more than what had obviously to be done," he said quietly. "Despard merits your thanks more than I."
The other looked at the major with a distinct tinge of relief.
"Is that so?" he asked hopefully.
"No!" said Despard, laconically. "Your thanks are not in the least misdirected, Mr. Van Arlen."
The old man made another courteous inclination of the head.
"I thought I could not so far have misunderstood my daughter," he answered. "I hope, Captain Aylmer, that while you remain in Tangier I may be permitted to serve you in any way which you like to command. Perhaps, though, your stay is short?"
And there was hopefulness in this last query. It was patent amid the studied urbanity of the tone. In spite of himself Aylmer smiled.
"I am a bird of passage," he said lightly. "I manage to take short leave for most of the Tent Club meetings, to which Colonel Anstruther is kind enough to make me welcome."