"Then I must have met you at Cheltenham," resumed Colonel Vivian. "Several times I thought I'd seen your face before."
Burgoyne shook his head.
"I haven't been in Cheltenham since I was twelve," he replied, "but I have an idea that I've seen you before, sir."
"Oh, where?"
"To the best of my belief about twelve miles sou'-sou'-west of Cape de Gata. You were wearing pale blue pyjamas and a wristlet watch. When we hiked you out of the ditch you were holding up a Tommy who couldn't swim, and——"
"By Jove! I remember you now," interrupted the Colonel. "You were in charge of one of the Pylon's boats. But I thought you were a midshipman R.N."
"I was," agreed Burgoyne. "I had to resign under the reduction of naval personnel stunt. And, by the by, sir, Miss Vivian asked me to tell you that she had been on the bridge for—" he glanced at his watch, "for the last three and a half hours."