The General left his car and stepped across the road. He recognised Lord Ramelton at once and greeted him with cheery playfulness.
“Hallo!” he said, “Held up! I never expected you to be caught smuggling arms about the country.”
“I wish you’d tell this boy to let me drive on,” said Lord Ramelton. “I’m getting wet through.”
The General turned to Willie Thornton.
“What’s the matter?” he said.
Willie was pleasantly conscious that he had done nothing except obey his orders. He saluted smartly.
“There’s a packing-case in the car, sir,” he said, “and it ought to be examined.”
The General looked into Lord Ramelton’s car and saw the packing-case. He could scarcely deny that it might very easily contain cartridges, that it was indeed exactly the sort of case which should be opened. He turned to Lord Ramelton.
“It’s marked sugar,” he said. “What’s in it really?”
Lord Ramelton took the General by the arm and led him a little way up the street. When they were out of earshot of the crowd round the car he spoke in a low voice.