over."

"You've seen Pailleton?"

"Seen him, impressed him, given him the document. He has his plans all
made."

"Good! Very good!"

Sir Alfred ate soup for several moments as though it were the best soup
on earth and nothing else was worth consideration. Then he laid down his
spoon.

"Magnificent!" he said. "Now listen--these submarines. There was a Taube
close at hand and I can tell you something which the Admiralty here are
keeping dark, with their tongues in their cheeks. Both those submarines
were sunk under water."

"I guessed it," Granet replied coolly. "I not only guessed it but I came
very near the key of the whole thing."

A waiter appeared with the next course, followed by the wine steward,
carrying champagne. Sir Alfred nodded approvingly.

"Just four minutes in the ice," he instructed, "not longer. What you
tell me about the champagne country is, I must confess, a relief,"
he added, turning to Granet. "It may not affect us quite so much, but
personally I believe that the whole world is happier and better when
champagne is cheap. It is the bottled gaiety of the nation. A nation
of ginger ale drinkers would be doomed before they reached the second
generation. 1900 Pommery, this, Ronnie, and I drink your health. If I
may be allowed one moment's sentiment," he added, raising his glass,
"let me say that I drink your health from the bottom of my hear, with
all the admiration which a man of my age feels for you younger fellows
who are fighting for us and our country."

They drank the toast in silence. In a moment or two they were alone
again.

"Go on, Ronnie," his uncle said. "I am interested."

"I met Conyers the other day," Granet proceeded, "the man who commands
the _Scorpion._ I managed to get an invitation down to Portsmouth to
have lunch with him on his ship. I went down with his sister and the
young lady he is engaged to marry. On deck there was a structure of some
sort covered up. I tried to make inquires about it but they headed
me off pretty quick. There was even a sentry standing on guard before
it--wouldn't let me even feel the shape of it. However, I hadn't given
up hope when there came a wireless--no guests to be allowed on board.
Conyers had to pack us all off back to the hotel, without stopping even
for lunch. From the hotel I got a telescope and I saw a pinnace with
half-a-dozen workmen, and a pilot who was evidently an engineer, land on
board. They seemed to be completing the adjus