They had long ago made up their tiff.

Then McNish had another surprise.

At the door of the hall appeared Captain Jack Maitland who, after coolly surveying the room, sauntered down the aisle and took a seat at his side.

He nodded to McNish.
"Quite a crowd, McNish," he said.

"I hear the American Johnnie is quite a spouter so I came along to hear." McNish looked at him and silently nodded.