Thomson glanced around but the room was empty.
"I think, if I may," he said, "I'll go into the morning room and have a whisky and soda.

I dare say I'll find the Admiral there." He took his leave of the others and made his way to the bachelor rooms at the back of the house.

He looked first into the little apartment which Geraldine claimed for her own, but found it empty.

He passed on into the smoking-room and found all four of the young people gathered around the table.

They were so absorbed that they did not even notice his entrance.