"That's true," agreed Nancy. "Here's to 'Ginger Dick." She took a long sip and then set down her glass. "If that's sparkling Moselle," she added thoughtfully, "I don't think I'll bother about tasting the champagne."
* * * * * * * * *
At about twenty minutes before midnight, faithful to his pledged word, the reliable Joe slouched forward out of the shadows and greeted them with a friendly salute.
"'Ere we are, guv'nor," he announced. "All ready an' waitin' for yer, as the grave-digger said."
He opened the door of the car for Nancy, and, making his way round to the front, succeeded after two or three abortive efforts in starting up the engine.
"She's a bit cold, like meself," he continued. "It's bin freezin' crool 'ard all the evenin', an' I reckon we both got a touch of it in our innards."
"You must follow it up with something hot," said Colin, handing him another half-crown. "Rum's the best as long as you don't put too much water into it."
"I ain't likely to," replied Joe, with a grin. "There's quite enough o' that done before we gets the blarsted stuff."
He pocketed the coin, and, closing the door after them, stepped back on to the pavement.
"Good-night, sir, an' thank yer kindly. Good-night, miss, an' Gawd bless yer both."