And, certainly, to see a sega danced on neighbouring Agalega is to understand how easy it is to obtain a poultry-keeper '-trial bride or sleeping partner, as you wish. Agalega pioneered the system of a husband selecting from among his friends several to share his wife under a gentleman's agreement that the right man is at the right place on the right night. And Agalegans, who consider themselves moral, point accusing fingers at Seychelles women! No wonder the receptionist had been prim when I had asked about the DNI

He was likely to be useless in the present crisis. My wish to see him left me..' It's nothing important,' I said.

The petty officer reacted to my tone. We all 'eard about

Commander Peace-you was 'is mate, wasn't you?' Yes-yes, you could call it that.'

He went on: Did you 'ear the radio today, sir? BBC?

We aint s'posed t'listen except on our own wavelength, but we did-was 'e really like that, sir?'

An iron band seemed to constrict round my head. If I didn't break free of this publicity build-up and sloppy patriotism, I should. He was a brave, cruel, heartless, determined, ruthless bastard who killed more men than he could remember,' I grated. But if I had thought he would have had to endure this bloody rubbish when he died, I would have killed him long ago with my own hands.

The petty officer gave a gasp. I swung on my heel and stalked down towards the town. I found Mac and, in a savage mood, I rowed out to Bellatrix. I rode rough-shod over the officer of the guard and Mac and I went to the engine-room. He let out an oath at the sight of the empty locker. An open porthole told its own tale. Either the intruder had been foxing us, or he had come round sooner 25 than we had expected. Silent, angry, we returned to the port.

•., The morning of the funeral broke crystal clear, as had done a million other mornings in Limuria. I had been awake since first light due to the clump and clatter of the television crews moving out their equipment. I dressed and looked out.