"Tell me," said Ten Eyck, "are you alone—or with somebody? Don't answer if it will incriminate you."
"No such luck," groaned Forbes. "I'm alone, a castaway on this deserted island."
"Well, I'm the little rescuing party. How long you here for?"
"I don't know. I was ordered to Governor's Island. I don't have to report for a week, so I thought I'd have a look at New York."
"That won't take you long. There's nothing going on, and nobody in town."
Forbes remembered the crowds he had seen, and smiled. "I saw three ve'y charming ladies in that party of yours."
"Glad you like 'em. Come and meet 'em."
"Perhaps one of them is your wife. Are you ma'ied yet?"
"Not yet. Not while I have my health and strength."
"I'm right glad to hear it. I was beginning to feel afraid that you had ma'ied that wonderful one."