Mouldy Jakes gave a little grunt. "Thought as much. They get like that." He spoke as if referring to the victims of an incomprehensible and ravaging disease. "An' it's always the good ones that get nabbed." He eyed the King's Messenger with an expression of melancholy omniscience. "Not so suspicious, you know." "Well," said Thorogood, "that is as may be: but I'm off to bed. Come along, Mouldy." The misogamist suffered himself to be led to the double-berthed compartment he shared with Thorogood. The King's Messenger locked the door after their departure and got into pyjamas. For a long time he sat cross-legged on his bunk, nursing his maimed limb and staring into vacancy as the express roared on through the night. Finally, as if he had arrived at some conclusion, he shook his head rather sadly, turned in, and switched out the light. "Good lad, Podgie," observed Thorogood reflectively to his companion, as he proceeded to undress. Mouldy Jakes, energetically brushing his teeth over the tiny washing-basin, grunted assent. "Ever met my cousin Cecily?" pursued Thorogood. "No, I don't think you did: she was at school when we stayed with Uncle Bill before the war." "Shouldn't remember her if I had," mumbled the gallant. "She's Uncle Bill's ward, and by way of being rather fond of Podgie, I fancy--at least, she used to be, I know. But the silly old ass won't go near her since he lost his foot." Mouldy Jakes dried his tooth-brush, and, fumbling in his trouser pocket, produced a penny. "Heads or tails?" he queried. "Tails--why?" "It's a head. Bags I the lower berth." The India-rubber Man, in his compartment, had got into pyjamas and was sitting up in his bunk writing with a pencil and pad on his knees. When he had finished he stamped and addressed an envelope, rang for the attendant, and gave it to him to be posted at the next stopping-place. It bore an address in Queen's Gate, London, where at the moment the addressee, curled up in the centre of a very large bed, was doing her best in the darkness to keep a promise. [1] Torpedoes. [2] Mines. CHAPTER II THE "NAVY SPECIAL" Railway travel appeals to the sailor-man. It provides him with ample leisure for conversation, sleep, or convivial song. When the possibilities of these absorbing pursuits are exhausted, remains a heightened interest in the next meal.