"You are a nephew of Colonel Challoner ?" "I am; but I can't see what connection this has----" Clarke stopped him.
"It's not an impertinence.

Hear me out.

You were a lieutenant of engineers and served in India, where you left the army." "That is correct, but it's not a subject I'm disposed to talk about." "So I imagined," Clarke said dryly.

"Still, I'd like to say that there is some reason for believing you to be a badly treated man.

You have my sympathy." "Thank you.