Again, if the truth had been admitted, H.M. Government was the rightful owner of both.
"Of course," he explained, "you saw my little 'bus from quite its worst aspect in that yard."
I was for getting to business. "I want," said I, "a back axle-shaft, a head-light, a wind-screen and some mud-guards. What's yours?"
"I could do with a spare wheel-holder, a horn, a couple of yards of foot-board," he said. "Two shock-absorbers and at least one wheel I must have."
A little discussion proved that between us we could put up a very decent car. The only difficulty arose from a doubt as to what was to happen when we went out in it. It would still be a two-seater, and neither of our chauffeurs was small enough to be carried in the tool-box. Who was going to drive, who was going to sit by and, when occasion demanded, step out and do the dirty work? Neither of us seeing his way to give in on these points, we had to think of some other solution.
"You mentioned the workshops just now," I said. "Were you going on to say that the officer in charge told you of another small car which was in trouble?"
"He did," said Signals.
"Same here," said I. "Did he then recommend you to get what you wanted off that other car?"
"He did," said Signals.
"Same here," said I. "And did you also ascertain that this officer in charge possesses a small car of his own rich in standard parts?"