"My nephew—yes," replied Brian. "We left Rioguay in somewhat unusual circumstances by air."
The Deputy Chief did not conceal his surprise; but he merely nodded an encouragement for Brian Strong to "carry on".
Uncle Brian maintained a full head of steam for quite fifteen minutes, describing the details of the flying-boat with technical and convincing accuracy.
"You know a lot of very important information about the Rioguayan air fleet," observed Sir John.
"Because I designed them," was the astonishing rejoinder.
"H'm," commented the Deputy Chief, without attempting to charge his visitor with unpatriotic motives. "Then with your technical knowledge, perhaps you could enlighten me on one point. Apart from the armour protection of the Rioguayan flying-boats, do they possess any special means of defence against opposing aircraft?"
"Speed and manoeuvring powers," replied Brian.
"Anything else?"
Brian shook his head.
"Why I ask," continued Sir John Pilrig, "is this: here is a portion of the report of the officer commanding H.M.S. Basilikon. He lays particular stress upon the fact that when two of our seaplanes were about to attack one of the Rioguayan cruisers, they were unable to approach within two miles of her. They simply had to descend through ignition troubles, but on the hostile vessel increasing her distance the defect—if defect it could be termed—was no longer in evidence. That phenomenon occurred on three occasions during that operation."