“Not my brother, if I know it,” said Percy.
“That’s not much help. He says exactly the same when I put the same question to him.”
“He does, does he? I owe Wally one already, now—”
“Thanks—then you’re not Wally. What do you want?”
“This note. Clapperton said I was to wait while you read it, and bring an answer if there was one.”
Yorke read the note, and smiled as he did so. Percy wished he knew what was in it. He didn’t know Clapperton could make jokes.
“Any answer?” he demanded.
“Yes—there’s an answer,” said the captain.
He took out a list of names from his pocket, and compared it with that on Clapperton’s letter. Then he wrote as follows:—
“Dear Clapperton,—The fifteen against Rendlesham is already made up as follows,” (here followed the list). “You will see it includes six of the names you sent. We must play the best team we can; and I think we shall have it.