fallen branch beneath the walnut tree, Cousin Christopher saw
apparently a khaki coat, with nothing in it, which, as they
approached it, rose up.

But it did not rise very high. The back of the coat was towards
them. Its collar stood out against the sky line. But there wasn't
any head. Standing upright, it turned round, and peeping out of its
folds Cousin Christopher saw a child's face. And then looking
closer saw that it wasn't a child. And then wasn't quite sure what
it was; so that coming to a sudden halt in front of it, Cousin
Christopher stared at it with round wide eyes, and then at Flight
Commander Raffleton.

It was to Malvina that Flight Commander Raffleton addressed himself.

"This," he said, "is Professor Littlecherry, my Cousin Christopher,
about whom I told you."

It was obvious that Malvina regarded the Professor as a person of
importance. Evidently her intention was to curtsy, an operation
that, hampered by those trailing yards of clinging khaki, might
prove--so it flashed upon the Professor--not only difficult but
dangerous.

"Allow me," said the Professor.

His idea was to help Malvina out of Commander Raffleton's coat, and
Malvina was preparing to assist him. Commander Raffleton was only
just in time.