With his usual ready obedience Bugg faded from the scene, and as he did so the voice of Captain Simmons came curtly and incisively from the bridge. "Stand by with the fender, and look out for our paint." A couple of the crew, under the direction of the second officer, hurried to fulfil the order, while two others climbed over the rail, ready to drop down and assist in the operation. Shutting off her engine as she approached, the launch came swirling round in a half circle. There was a brief moment of strained suspense, and then skilfully avoiding the fender, she bumped heavily alongside, in a fashion that brought a cry of anguish from Captain Simmons' lips. The two waiting sailors dropped nimbly on to her deck, and commenced to make her fast, and the next moment, flushed but triumphant, Colonel Saltero was mounting the accommodation ladder. As he emerged over the top, Tony stepped forward to meet him. "How d'you do, Colonel?" he observed in a friendly voice. "Glad to see you again." Clicking his heels together, Colonel Saltero made him a stiff military bow. "Permit me, Sir Antony," he replied, "to welcome you to Livadia." "Thanks very much," said Tony. Then pausing for a moment to allow his visitor to recover a perpendicular position, he added hospitably: "Come along down and have a whisky." The invitation did not seem to be altogether unwelcome, but like a true soldier the Colonel's first considerations were evidently for his duty. "You have brought the cartridges?" he demanded, with a swift and slightly suspicious glance round the deck. "Rather," said Tony, "any amount of 'em." He turned to the second officer. "You had better start getting those boxes on board the launch right away," he added. "Colonel Saltero and I are going below to have a little chat." He led the way down the companion to his private cabin, and ushering his guest in closed the door behind them. "Well, you got Congosta's message all right then," he said, going to the cupboard and getting out the whisky and soda. "You know what an unholy mess I've managed to make of things." The Colonel, who was standing in a stiff and military attitude, made a slight gesture of assent. "Sir Antony!" he said, "I am a soldier, and it is my habit to speak plain words. I will not hide my opinion that with regard to the Princess you have failed us badly." Tony splashed out a full-handed allowance of old Glenlivet and sprinkled it carefully with soda. "Go on," he said encouragingly. "Say exactly what you like." He handed the glass to the Colonel, who took a long and apparently satisfactory drink. "At the same time," continued the latter, "I do not wish to be ungrateful. If what Señor Congosta tells me is true, you have done your best to make up for your fault. These cartridges--" he set down the empty tumbler--"these cartridges, which I understand you have presented to the army, may yet be the means of saving Livadia."