The admiral dropped his blandness. I think you should moderate your tone, Mr. Garland. It is not a sideshow, as you choose to call it. Commander Peace is a national hero an internationally known figure-and he will be accorded the recognition due to him. A naval guard of honour will stand 17 watch over the coffin. I am afraid we must ask you to leave Bellatrix until after the funeral..

I scarcely heard him. My mind was on that strange figure listening at the coffin, trying to get in. Had he taken a chance in broad daylight because he knew there would be a naval guard after that?

… following the lying-in-state, the body will be conveyed aboard Loch Vennachar,' droned on Ackroyd. Limuria Squadron will put to sea at 0900 hours, using the North Entrance. The u.s. Seventh Fleet will also proceed to sea and take up station in line ahead two miles northward of

Recif Islet, bearing 155 degrees, while Limuria Squadron will be stationed in line ahead approximately three miles south of Renommee Rock.'

` We are burying Commander Peace as near to the area where he was drowned as we can,' consoled the admiral. '

Frigate Island is a bit tricky for the big ships, particularly if we get a squall from the north-west.'

Ackroyd resumed. ' A fighter escort over the fleet will be provided jointly from H.M.S. Teaser and U.S.N. Springfield.'

The more I thought about the grand display, the less I liked it. The mourning party will be abroad Loch Vennachar,' intoned Ackroyd. ' Launch for the chief mourner to be at Victoria pierhead at 0830..

"That means me,' I said.

The C-in-C was patient. ' The Admiralty has informed me that no relatives of the late Commander Peace could be traced. As his close friend, the honour falls to you.'

Honour! At heart I felt like Mac-I wanted to smash something.