CHAPTER XXXIV
AND LAST
"CHEER-O, Slogger!"
"Cheer-o, Moke!"
These, the curt but nevertheless brimful of meaning exchange of greetings when, four weeks later, Farrar and Sylvester met at Southampton Docks.
The sub's right hand was still swathed in surgical dressings, otherwise in appearance he was much the same as of yore, except that on the breast of his uniform coat he wore the ribbon of the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Service Cross, for the young R.N.V.R. officer had pulled off a double event. The former distinction had been awarded for his services in strafing Fritz, the latter for conspicuous gallantry in extinguishing the flames that threatened to destroy the "Avenger" in mid-air.
"Congrats, old bird!" said the Moke heartily. "I saw the announcement in The Gazette. Now, how about it? You're coming back to Lynbury with me, I absolutely insist, and my people are expecting you. That's why I broke my journey from Waterloo."
Ten minutes previously Farrar would have firmly declined the invitation, but in his pocket reposed a recently opened telegram which read:
"Welcome home; we are returning to The Old Croft on Monday, when we shall be delighted to see you. Bruno awaits you. Winifred."
And the day was Friday. Three whole days, and then——