“I can indeed! Do you say this memorandum has been stolen?”
“No, I don’t say that, but I do know it is missing. However, from all I have ever seen of the way they go on at the Horse Guards, it will very likely turn up in the wrong file, or some such thing.”
“You are severe!” Carlyon said, looking amused.
“Why, I dare say Torrens would say the same, for you must know that there are too many of Prinny’s creatures foisted on them at the Horse Guards, and a shabbier set of fellows you’d be hard put to it to find than most of ’em! Such jobbery!”
“Oh, now you are back at Bedlington!”
“Hun, and some others. Lord Bedlington!” John enunciated scornfully. “And why, pray?”
“Distinguished military career,” murmured Carlyon.
“Distinguished military fiddlesticks!” snorted John. “A.D.C. to the Regent! Pander to the Regent, more like! But, there! I do not know why I am boring on in this way. Will you be able to bring Nick off safe, do you think?”
“Yes. Though Eustace would have been glad to have injured him if he could have done it.”
“What a damned fellow he was!” John said warmly. “I should like to know what harm Nicky ever did him!”