The secretary nodded sympathetically. He was trying to get off
early, however, and he had heard a good deal already about Belgium.

"Will you let one of the servants fetch you a taxicab?" he suggested.

"I prefer to walk a little distance," Mr. Sidney replied. "I am
quite at home in London. I was once, in fact, invited to take up a
pastorate here. I wish you good-day, sir. I have had a most
interesting conversation with your chief, a conversation which will
dwell for a long time in my memory."

The secretary bowed and Mr. Sidney walked slowly to the corner of the
Square. Arrived there, he hailed a passing taxicab which drew up at
once by the side of the kerb. In stepping in, he brushed the shoulder
of a man who had paused to light a cigarette. He lingered for a
moment to apologise.

"I beg your pardon," he commenced--

For a single moment his self-possession seemed to desert him. He
looked into the cold, incurious face of the man in an officer's
uniform who was already moving away, as though he had seen a ghost.
His hesitation was a matter of seconds only, however.

"It was very clumsy of me," he concluded.

Major Thomson touched his cap as he moved off.

"Quite all right," he said serenely.