‘Yes, yes,’ the Colonel agreed hurriedly. ‘Of course. Wait a minute, will you?’

He stumbled out of the room, and they heard him thump along the verandah towards Geoffrey Gaunt’s quarters.

Rua’s old eyes were very bright and cunning as he looked at Dr Ackrington, but he did not speak.

‘So he’s been trespassing, has he?’ asked Dr Ackrington venomously. ‘I could have told you that when the Hippolyte was torpedoed.’

Rua made a brusque movement with his wrinkled hands but still he did not speak.

‘He does it by night sometimes, doesn’t he?’ Dr Ackrington went on. ‘Doesn’t he go up by night, with a flash lamp? Good God, my dear fellow, I’ve seen it myself. Curios be damned.’

‘Somehow,’ Rua said mildly, ‘I have never been able to enjoy spy stories. They always seem to me to be incredible.’

‘Indeed!’ Dr Ackrington rejoined acidly. ‘So this country, alone in the English-speaking world, stands immune from the activities of enemy agents. And why, pray? Do you think the enemy is frightened of us? Amazing complacency!’

‘But he has been seen digging.’

‘Do you imagine he would be seen semaphoring? Of course he digs. No doubt he robs your ancestors’ graves. No doubt he will have some infamous booty to exhibit when he is brought to book.’

Rua pinched his lower lip and became very solemn. ‘I have felt many regrets,’ he said, ‘for the old age which compelled me to watch my grandsons and great-grandsons set out to war without me. But if you are right, there is still work in Ao-tea-roa for an old warrior.’ He chuckled, and Dr Ackrington looked apprehensively at him.

‘I have been indiscreet,’ he said. ‘Keep this under your hat, Rua. A word too soon and we shan’t get him. I may tell you I have taken steps. But, see here. There’s a certain amount of cover on the Peak. If your young people haven’t altogether lost the art of their forebears—’

‘We must arrange something,’ said Rua composedly. ‘Yes. No doubt something can be arranged.’

‘What is it, dear?’ said Mrs Claire, appearing abruptly in the doorway. ‘Oh! Oh, I thought Edward called me, James. Good evening, Rua.’

‘I did call you about half an hour ago,’ said her husband crossly from behind her back, ‘but it’s all over now. Old Rua was here with some—oh, you’re still there, Rua. Mr Gaunt’s secretary says they’ll be delighted.’

Barbara came running distractedly from the kitchen. She and her parents formed up in a sort of queue outside the door.

‘What is it, Daddy?’ she asked. ‘What do you want?’

‘Nobody wants anything,’ shouted her father angrily. ‘Everybody’s delighted. Why do you all come running at me?’

‘My people will be very pleased,’ said Rua. ‘I shall go now and tell them. I wish you all good evening.’