Shutting off her engine as she approached, the launch came swirling round in a half circle. There was a brief moment of strained suspense, and then skilfully avoiding the fender, she bumped heavily alongside, in a fashion that brought a cry of anguish from Captain Simmons' lips. The two waiting sailors dropped nimbly on to her deck, and commenced to make her fast, and the next moment, flushed but triumphant, Colonel Saltero was mounting the accommodation ladder.
As he emerged over the top, Tony stepped forward to meet him.
"How d'you do, Colonel?" he observed in a friendly voice. "Glad to see you again."
Clicking his heels together, Colonel Saltero made him a stiff military bow.
"Permit me, Sir Antony," he replied, "to welcome you to Livadia."
"Thanks very much," said Tony. Then pausing for a moment to allow his visitor to recover a perpendicular position, he added hospitably: "Come along down and have a whisky."
The invitation did not seem to be altogether unwelcome, but like a true soldier the Colonel's first considerations were evidently for his duty.
"You have brought the cartridges?" he demanded, with a swift and slightly suspicious glance round the deck.
"Rather," said Tony, "any amount of 'em." He turned to the second officer. "You had better start getting those boxes on board the launch right away," he added. "Colonel Saltero and I are going below to have a little chat."
He led the way down the companion to his private cabin, and ushering his guest in closed the door behind them.