“I've always understood that those parts were somewhat uncivilised,” said Hannasyde. “Though they say South America is the country of the future.”
“They'll say anything,” replied Roger dampingly.
Hannasyde persevered. “Which part have you come from?” he inquired.
“BA,” said Roger. “But it's no use making a lot of inquiries about me there, because I've been living under another name. More convenient,” he added, in explanation.
“I see,” said Hannasyde. “And so you're just back. When did you land?”
“Yesterday,” said Roger, eyeing him suspiciously.
Hannasyde smiled. “That sounds to me like a remarkably good alibi,” he said lightly. “What was your ship?”
“Well, I've forgotten,” said Roger, “if I ever knew, which I rather doubt. To tell you the truth, I don't take much interest in ships. There are some people who no sooner get on board than they start making friends with the Chief Engineer, so that they can go down and have a look at the engine-room, which, as a matter of fact, is a nasty, smelly place. I'm not like that at all.”
Giles, who had been inquiring of Antonia half laughingly, half-anxiously, whether she was reconciled to Mesurier, turned his head, and said: “You must remember the name of the ship, surely?”
“There's no must about it,” replied Roger. “I can forget much more important things than that. Though I don't say it won't come back to me. Very often things do, and, what's more, things that happened years and years ago.”