“No, no,” said Kenneth soothingly. “Nothing like that. Ah, here it is! Come along now.”

The general was put into his coat. Kenneth buttoned it up and handed him his hat.

“That’s right. Now we’re ready.”

“B-but—where are we going?” stuttered his father.

Kenneth conducted him to the door.

“Oh, just for a short run in the car! I want you to come out with me. Glorious day, you know.”

The general showed a marked tendency to hang back.

“I don’t want to go for a run! It’s too cold! Damn it, what’s the matter with you?”

“Do come sir!” begged Kenneth winningly. “It’s ages since you and I went out together.”

The general hesitated. But the engaging tone was too much for him. It was a long while since he had been anywhere with his son.

“Very well,” he grumbled. “But I don’t like motoring in the winter.”

Kenneth paid no heed to this last feeble protest. He put his father into the car and tucked him up in a large rug. Then he got in himself and started the car.

For some time they went in silence, but when they drew out of London into the suburbs the general put a question.

“Where are we going?”

“Oh, just to a rather jolly little place I know of,” answered Kenneth. “Very pretty run.”

There was a pause.

“Didn’t I see a suitcase on the back of the car?” asked the general.

“Some togs I wanted,” explained Kenneth.

Then he launched forth into a flow of conversation which did not abate for quite an hour. By that time the general was becoming uneasy.

“Surely it’s time we turned back,” he said. “Where are we?”

“Hampshire,” said Kenneth. “It’s not much further.”

“I should hope not! We shall be disgracefully late as it is. What’s the point of coming so far?”

Kenneth laughed.

“It’s all right, sir. Just wait a bit, and you’ll see.”

The general became suspicious.

“Look here, Kenneth, if you’re doing something mad, understand me, I will not have it! Turn round and go back! I order it!”

Kenneth shook his head.

“Sorry, sir. Can’t be done.”

He turned a deaf ear to all his father’s commands and imprecations until at last the general relapsed into sulky silence. Presently Kenneth switched on his lights, for it was growing dark. The general shivered and drew the rug closer about him.

“Nearly there,” said Kenneth cheerfully.

The general’s reply was unfit for publication.

Half-an-hour later Kenneth pulled up outside what looked like a high fence. He jumped out and fumbled with a key.

“Where the devil are we?” shouted his father.

He saw that the fence had a large gate adorned with barbed wire and broken glass. Kenneth opened it and got back into the car. In silence he drove through the gateway and again got out. The stupefied general saw him relock the gate and pocket the key.

“And now we are in,” said Kenneth triumphantly.

“What the hell are you about?” barked his father. “Have you taken leave of your senses?”