I suppose the best thing will be to try and get you an appointment again." "Oh, Edward, if you would! And you know you have the ear of the ministry." "I dare say it can be managed.

But this will be of little use if you are still to remain an embarrassed man.

I hear you were afraid of arrest in London." "Who told you that ?" "Dawkes." "Dawkes! Then, Edward--" Val Elster stopped.

In his vexation, he was about to retaliate on Captain Dawkes by a little revelation on the score of _his_ affairs, certain things that might not have redounded to that gallant officer's credit.

But he arrested the words in time: he was of a kindly nature, not fond of returning ill for ill.