By this time several people had been attracted by the news of the match, and among the new spectators was an amiable-looking gentleman who wore large, round spectacles. He had been seemingly much impressed by Bob's last drive, and had loudly expressed himself to that effect.
"I tell you," he said, "I haf seen Vardon, and Braid, and all ze rest of zem play, but I neffer saw a finer shot, neffer. It vas great."
He spoke so loudly that, when they were walking to the fourteenth tee,
Trevanion, who was slightly ruffled, said:
"Excuse me, sir, but if you knew the etiquette of golf, you would know that it is bad form to talk while people are playing."
The stranger lifted his hat, and bowed profoundly. "I apologise, sir," he said; "nothing was further from my mind than to interfere with your play. I vill take much care not to offend again. I hope I did not offend you, sir," he added, bowing to Bob.
"Not the slightest," replied Bob.
The stranger bowed again, and from that time was silent, although he followed the party at a distance.
The next three holes were halved, and there remained but two more to play. Bob was very quiet, Trevanion looked grim and determined, the colour came and went on Nancy's face. It seemed to her as though Bob's future and her own depended on the result of the next few minutes.
"One up to the Military, and two to play," cried the Admiral.
"If you halve this, you'll be dormy, Captain Trevanion," said George
Tresize, who seemed very anxious for him to win.