"that Grayne
is right. Nothing can absolve us from our pledge."

"The point is," said Sir Roger, "what is happening at Auchinlech?" He
fixed an almost accusing eye upon Sir Lyster Grayne, who merely shook
his head with the air of one who has been asked an insoluble conundrum.

"Here we are," continued Sir Roger indignantly, "with a weapon that
would exercise a considerable effect in bringing victory nearer,
debarred from using it because--

"The Prime Minister has given his word," interpolated Sir Lyster
quietly.

Sir Roger glared at him. "Death nullifies a contract of this
description," retorted Sir Roger.

"But the Prime Minister is not yet dead," said Sir Lyster drily.

Mr. Llewellyn John started slightly. He did not like these references
to death and resignation.

"In law----" began Sir Roger.

"This is not a matter of law, but of a private promise." Sir Lyster
was insistent.

"I think, gentlemen, you are looking at it from different points of
view," interrupted Mr. Llewellyn John with a tactful smile. "Let us
hope that Mr. John Dene will be found. If it can be proved he is dead,
then we shall be fully justified in sending to Auchinlech, acquainting
his second-in-command with what has happened, and instructing him to
assume command of the _Destroyer_ in accordance with Mr. Dene's wishes."

The matter was then dropped, although it was clear that the members of
the War Cabinet were not at one on the subject either of John Dene or
his disappearance.

The Home Secretary promised personally to urge the police to greater
efforts.

Slowly and with infinite labour Scotland Yard sifted the enormous
volume of evidence that poured in upon it, proving conclusively that
John Dene had been seen in every part of the United Kingdom, not to
mention a number of places on the Continent. Police officers swore and
perspired as they strove to grapple with this enormous problem. Night
and day they worked with the frenzy of despair. They cursed the war,
they cursed the colonies, they cursed John Dene. Why had he not stayed
in Toronto and disappeared there, if he must disappear anywhere. Why
had he come to London to drive to desperation an already over-worked
department?

One thing that the police found particularly embarrassing was that
constables were constantly being called upon, by enthusiastic and
excited members of the public, to arrest inoffensive citizens on the
suspicion of their being John Dene of Tor