"DEAR VERNON,
"In reply to your letter I am sorry that I cannot help you in the matter to which you refer, unless you and your friend can produce sufficient evidences of qualifications for the desired posts.
"On principle I object to influence in any shape or form. Entry into any branch of the Service should, like promotion, depend solely upon the aptitude and ability of a candidate. This has been my standpoint throughout the whole of my career, and I see no reason why I should now depart from it.
"If, however, you think you have strong reasons for pressing your claims, and you care to see me, we will go more fully into the matter.
"Believe me,
"Yours faithfully,
"PETER GARBOARD."
"Not so dusty," commented Ross. "He does leave us a loophole, although I'm afraid we'll have to blow our own trumpets. I vote we cycle over at once. We'll catch him in just before lunch."
"Better wait until after he's had his grub," said Vernon. "That's always the time to get a man in a good humour."
"We'll risk that," declared young Trefusis. "Come on."
It was a very hilly twenty miles run across the moors to Trelangkerrick. Starting at ten in the morning it took the lads two hours and a quarter, in the face of a strong south-westerly breeze, to cover the distance.
Half-way up the drive, they saw the Admiral and a companion emerging from a path leading from the kennels.