, stood as
barriers to an Allied triumph.

"If you will sit down, Mr. Dene," said Sir Lyster suavely, "I'll
explain."

John Dene hesitated for a moment, then humped himself into a chair,
gazing moodily before him.

"We quite appreciate your--er--patriotism and public-spiritedness
in----"

"Here, cut it out," broke in John Dene. "Do you want the _Destroyer_
or don't you?"

Sir Lyster recoiled as if he had been struck. He had been First Lord
too short a time for the gilt to be worn off his dignity. Seeing his
Chief about to reply in a way that he suspected might end the
interview, Admiral Heyworth interposed.

"May I suggest that under the circumstances we consult Mr. Llewellyn
John?"

"That's bully," broke in John Dene without giving Sir Lyster a chance
of replying. "They say he's got pep."

Bowing to the inevitable, Sir Lyster picked up the telephone-receiver.

"Get me through to the Prime Minister," he said.

The three men waited in silence for the response. As the bell rang,
Sir Lyster swiftly raised the receiver to his ear.

"Yes, the Prime Minister. Sir Lyster Grayne speaking." There was a
pause. "Grayne speaking, yes. Can I come round with Admiral Heyworth
and an--er--inventor? It's very important." He listened for a moment,
then added, "Yes, we'll come at once."

"Now, Mr. Dene," said Sir Lyster, as he rose and picked up his hat, "I
hope we shall be able to--er----" He did not finish the sentence; but
led the way to the door.

The three men walked across the Horse Guards Quadrangle towards Downing
Street. The only words uttered were when Sir Lyster asked John Dene if
he had seen the pelicans.

John Dene looked at him in amazement. He had heard that in British
official circles it was considered bad taste to discuss the war except
officially, and he decided that he was now discovering what was really
the matter with the British Empire.

As the trio crossed the road to mount the steps leading to Downing
Street, the girl passed of whom John Dene had asked the way. Her eyes
widened slightly as she recognised John Dene's two companions; they
widened still more when John Dene lifted his hat, followed a second
later by Sir Lyster, whilst Admiral Heyworth saluted. In her surprise
she nearly ran into a little shifty-eyed man, in a grey suit, who, with
an elaborate flourish of his hat, hastened to apologise for her
carelessness.

"That's the girl who showed me the way to your back-door,