CHAPTER IV
Comrades All
"When do we take over, sir?" inquired Villiers.
The reply came sharp and to the point.
"From now," replied Sir Hugh. "In Claverhouse's case, I understand,he will have to give in his resignation. There's one more point. Inaddition to board and quarters--you'll be regarded as members of theestablishment--there will be an amount of two guineas a week to eachof the syndicate until we leave England. That will be as soon aspossible, but it would hardly be fair to expect you to hang on herewithout some slight remuneration. Now let's be going."
The four men made their way to the garage, where Claverhouse showedVilliers how to manage the baronet's car, which was of a type thatthe R.N.V.R. man knew intimately. Then, having "started up",Claverhouse boarded the "Odouresque" with Beverley as his companion,while Sir Hugh and Villiers seated themselves in the other.
The journey to Southampton was performed at strictly moderate speed,and nothing unusual occurred. Villiers led the way, the powerful"Odouresque" following a hundred yards behind at a pace that seemed apainful crawl to the road-hogging Alec.
Just before the Bargate, Claverhouse took a side-road in order toreturn the car to the Odouresque Co., Ltd., leaving Villiers to takethe head of the syndicate to Richborough Chambers.
It was an intricate piece of work to negotiate the ancient and narrowgateway that spans Southampton's principal street. The road was notonly greasy, and had tram lines on it, but there was a slight descentto the Bargate itself. Here stood a policeman regulating the traffic,since it was possible for vehicles to pass only in one direction at atime.
The traffic was passing in the right direction as Villiersapproached. Just ahead was a tramcar, while following the motor--hecould see that by means of the reflector--was a petrol-driven draywith three or four men sitting on the otherwise empty body.
The tramcar emerged from under the arch, but just as Villiers wasimmediately under the gate a cyclist, disregarding the policeman'supraised arm, dashed headlong towards the front of Villiers' car.
Not for one moment did the ex-officer lose his nerve. To swerve meantwrecking the car and possibly injuring or killing its occupants.
He applied both brakes, but the metal-shod tyres slithered on thegreasy tramlines. The next instant the impact occurred.
It was the cycle that bore the brunt of the collision. Its rider,with considerable dexterity, had dismounted, and leaping into safetyhad left his machine to meet destruction. The dray, pulling up,filled almost the whole of the archway, with its bonnet within acouple of inches of the tail of the car.
Within a few seconds a crowd had collected. The traffic was held upwhile the policeman, note-book in hand, was taking particulars of theaccident.
"Take this," whispered the baronet, pushing a small blue-covered caseinto Villiers' hand. "It's my driving licence."
"Have you a licence, sir?" inquired the policeman
"I have," replied Villiers truthfully. "Here it is."
The guardian of the law was visibly impressed by the name.
"Very good, sir," he said saluting. "Merely a matter of form. I don'tthink you'll hear anything further about the accident. The cyclistwas entirely in the wrong."
"Punctual to the minute," remarked Sir Hugh, as the car drew up infront of Richborough Chambers. "Hallo! Where's that attach?-case?"
It had vanished. Thinking perhaps that the sudden application of thebrakes had jerked it under the seat, the baronet made a comprehensivesearch, but without result.
"Rotten luck," commented Villiers.
"Might have been worse," rejoined Sir Hugh oracularly. "Let's get inand see what's doing. The commissionaire will give an eye to thecar."
He led the way to a large room on the ground floor. From theadjoining room came the subdued hum of voices.
"Adventure aspirants," remarked Sir Hugh, nodding his head in thedirection whence the sounds came. "You'll be my secretary _pro tem_.,Villiers. Cast your eye over these letters and see if you recognizeany of the writers."
He handed Villiers a bundle of about thirty envelopes.
"I know three of these names," replied Jack, after scanning thecontents of the communications. "Merridew, O'Loghlin, and Fontayne."
"Anything detrimental?"
"To the contrary," replied Villiers.
"Good! We'll see them first. But one moment, I want an advertisementdrafted, something to this effect:--'Lost from car, betweenWinchester and Southampton, attach?-case, containing papers of novalue except to owner--no, say owners. Finder will be liberallyrewarded on returning same.' That ought to fetch 'em."
"Is the loss a very serious matter," asked Villiers.
"To someone," replied Harborough. "The case wasn't lost, it wasstolen!"
"Stolen?" repeated Jack incredulously.
"Precisely," continued the baronet. "But I'll go into the matter withyou later. Now let's interview Messrs. Merridew and Co."
The three ex-officers were considerably surprised when Jack Villiersentered the room where they were waiting, and asked them to "comethis way".
"Something good on, old man?" inquired O'Loghlin. "Sure it is ifyou've got a finger in the pie."
Villiers was non-committal. He did not like the responsibility ofadvising his former comrades on this particular point.
But in less than five minutes the trio had "signed on", and were toldto report at Thalassa Towers at eleven on the following morning.
The next applicant was an R.N.R. officer, Swaine by name, whose chiefqualification lay in the fact that he had been employed by a salvagecompany and was an experienced diver.
"I should think there are plenty of openings for you in England,"remarked Harborough.
"So there are, sir," replied Swaine, pulling out a bunch of lettersfrom his pocket. "I've half a dozen jobs to go to in the salvageline, but I've seen enough of the North Sea and the English Channelthe last four years. Somewhere in the Pacific would suit me, althoughyou didn't say where, sir. S'long as it's not off Vladivostok, theBehring Straits, or south of the Chloe Archipelago, I'm on it."
The selection business proceeded apace. Two men were "turned down"politely, for Harborough knew what he wanted and meant to get it. Hewas a shrewd judge of human nature. Another applicant "hedged", triedto be funny by asking irrelevant questions, and, remarking that hewasn't jolly well going to pay to work and chuck good quids away, puton his hat and departed.
The last to be interviewed was a short, small-featured youngster witha very mild voice and manner, who blushed hotly when spoken to andshowed considerable hesitation in framing his words. He seemed keen,but Villiers, looking on, felt certain that the youth wouldn't comeup to the standard.
"What's your Service experience, my lad?" asked Sir Hugh. "You'veforgotten to mention that in your letter."
For answer the youth handed in a sheet of paper--his record ofservice. Amongst other items it was noted that he was aflying-officer, held the M.C. with bar, and had been twice mentionedin dispatches for brilliant reconnaissance work over the enemy linesand for engaging and destroying three hostile machines. His"Protection Certificate" left no doubt as to the identity of themodest aerial warrior.
"Still keen on flying, Mr. Trevear?"
"Rather," replied the ex-airman with a sudden and unexpected burst ofenthusiasm. "I wanted to stay in the R.A.F., but it was no go. Then Iapplied for a post as pilot at a civilian flying-school, but up tonow I've heard nothing."
"Do you know the 'Cormorant' sea-plane?"
"Heard of it, sir," was the reply. "My buses were mono-airplanes, butI think I'd cotton on to a seaplane with very little difficulty."
"Good enough," exclaimed Harborough. "A stout heart goes a long way.Willing to sign on, on the terms I mentioned?"
"Rather," replied the now eager youth.
"That's the lot," commented Sir Hugh, when Villiers and the baronetfound themselves alone. "Quite a representative crush, eh? I thinkthey'll shape all right. Now we'll pack up, Beve
rley and Claverhouse,and get back. There's plenty to be done in the next fortnight."