They lunched in leisurely fashion, Olive in particular glancing often towards the door, and afterwards they sat about in the lounge, drinking their coffee. Granet had seemed to be in high spirits throughout the meal, and told the girls many little anecdotes of his adventures at the Front. Afterwards, however, he became silent, and finally, with a word of excuse, strolled off alone. Olive looked once more at the clock. “Ralph doesn’t seem to be coming back, does he?” she sighed. “Let’s walk a little way down to the landing-stage.” The two girls strolled out and made their way towards the harbour. They could see the _Scorpion_ but there was no sign of any pinnace leaving her. Reluctantly they turned back towards the hotel. “I wonder what has become of Captain Granet?” Olive asked. Geraldine stopped short. There was a little frown gathering upon her forehead. She pointed up to the roof of the hotel, where a man was crouching with a telescope glued to his eyes. He lowered it almost as they paused, and waved his hand to them. “Can’t see any sign of Conyers,” he shouted. “I’m waiting for the pinnace. Come up here. There’s such a ripping view.” They entered the hotel in silence. “I don’t believe,” Geraldine remarked uneasily, “that Ralph would like that.” They made their way to the top of the house and were escorted by a buxom chambermaid to what was practically a step-ladder opening out on to a skylight. From here they crawled on to the roof, where they found Granet comfortably ensconced with his back to a chimney, smoking a cigarette. “This is rather one on your brother,” he chuckled. “Where did you find the telescope?” Geraldine asked. “I borrowed it from downstairs,” he answered. “Do come and have a look. You can see the _Scorpion_ quite distinctly. All the officers seem to be gathered around that mysterious structure on the upper deck. I thought at first it was a stand for a gun but it isn’t.” Olive held out her hand for the telescope but Geraldine shook her head. There was a troubled expression in her eyes. “I suppose it’s awfully silly, Captain Granet,” she said, “but honestly, I don’t think Ralph would take it as a joke at all if he knew that we were up here, trying to find out what was going on.” Olive set down the telescope promptly. “I didn’t think of that,” she murmured. Granet laughed easily. “Perhaps you are right,” he admitted. “All the same, we are a little exceptionally placed, aren’t we?--his sister, his fiancee, and--” He broke off suddenly. A hand had been laid upon his shoulder. A small, dark man, who had come round the corner of the chimney unperceived, was standing immediately behind him. “I must trouble you all for your names and addresses, if you please,” he announced quietly. The two girls stared at him, dumbfounded. Granet, however, remained perfectly at his ease. He laid down the telescope and scrutinised the newcomer.