There was Sir Walter, and Drew the War Minister, whom I knew from his photographs.
There was a slim elderly man, who was probably Whittaker, the Admiralty official, and there was General Winstanley, conspicuous from the long scar on his forehead.

Lastly, there was a short stout man with an iron-grey moustache and bushy eyebrows, who had been arrested in the middle of a sentence.
Sir Walter's face showed surprise and annoyance.
'This is Mr Hannay, of whom I have spoken to you,' he said apologetically to the company.

'I'm afraid, Hannay, this visit is ill-timed.' I was getting back my coolness.

'That remains to be seen, Sir,' I said; 'but I think it may be in the nick of time.

For God's sake, gentlemen, tell me who went out a minute ago ?' 'Lord Alloa,' Sir Walter said, reddening with anger.