"Perhaps that's an advantage," said Loraine coolly. "They won't suspect us and therefore they won't be trying to put us out of the way." "I wish I felt sure about that," said Jimmy in a worried voice. "You know, Loraine, old Gerry himself wanted you to keep out of it. Don't you think you could--" "No, I couldn't," said Loraine. "Don't let's start discussing that again. It's only a waste of time." At the mention of the word time, Jimmy's eyes rose to the clock and he uttered an exclamation of astonishment. He rose and opened the door. "Stevens." "Yes, sir?" "What about a spot of lunch, Stevens? Could it be managed?" "I anticipated that it would be required, sir. Mrs. Stevens has made preparations accordingly." "That's a wonderful man," said Jimmy, as he returned, heaving a sigh of relief. "Brain, you know. Sheer brain. He takes correspondence courses. I sometimes wonder if they'd do any good to me." "Don't be silly," said Loraine. Stevens opened the door and proceeded to bring in a most recherché meal. An omelette was followed by quails and the very lightest things in soufflés. "Why are men so happy when they're single," said Loraine tragically. "Why are they so much better looked after by other people than by us?" "Oh! but that's rot, you know," said Jimmy. "I mean, they're not. How could they be. I often think--" He stammered and stopped. Loraine blushed again. Suddenly Bundle let out a whoop and both the others started violently. "Idiot," said Bundle. "Imbecile. Me, I mean. I knew there was something I'd forgotten." "What?" "You know Codders--George Lomax, I mean?" "I've heard of him a good deal," said Jimmy. "From Bill and Ronny, you know." "Well, Codders is giving some sort of a dry party next week--and he's had a warning letter from Seven Dials." "What?" cried Jimmy excitedly, leaning forward. "You can't mean it?" "Yes, I do. He told Father about it. Now what do you think that points to?" Jimmy leant back in his chair. He thought rapidly and carefully. At last he spoke. His speech was brief and to the point. "Something's going to happen at that party," he said. "That's what I think," said Bundle. "It all fits in," said Jimmy almost dreamily. He turned to Loraine. "How old were you when the war was on?" he asked unexpectedly. "Nine--no, eight." "And Gerry, I suppose, was about twenty. Most lads of twenty fought in the war. Gerry didn't." "No," said Loraine, after thinking a minute or two. "No, Gerry wasn't a soldier. I don't know why." "I can tell you why," said Jimmy. "Or at least I can make a very shrewd guess. He was out of England from 1915 to 1918. I've taken the trouble to find that out. And nobody seems to know exactly where he was. I think he was in Germany." The colour rose in Loraine's cheeks. She looked at Jimmy with admiration. "How clever of you." "He spoke German well, didn't he?" "Oh! yes, like a native."