Africa, and that the aircraft was an old flying-boat which only made the leisurely trip once a week. That meant a further delay of three days in the Seychelles. I cursed the soft languor of Limuria.

Peace. had seemed animated, less tense, when I announced my intention of going ashore. He didn't try to stop me. For a moment I thought he was about to say something, but then he shrugged as if he had, changed his mind.

As I sat at dinner at the hotel that evening, a naval officer came to my table and saluted.

Mr. John Garland?'

I nodded, wondering if my anger had provoked somebody to do something about discussing the deal.

He handed me a note, which I took more in irritation than anticipation. It said: ' I have to inform you that the body of Commander Geoffrey Peace was taken from the water at Noddy Rock, half a mile northward of Frigate Island; at approx. 1330 hours today by a boat's crew from H.M.S. Loth Vennachar, operating in that area. Artificial respiration was applied without success. Commander Peace was taken aboard Loch Vennachar, where he was pronounced dead by 11 the Senior Naval Surgeon. The body will, at the direction of the Commander-in-Chief, Limuria Command, be held aboard Loch Vennachar until suitable arrangements have been made..

I hadn't seen the room after that. All I saw was an indelible vignette from the past; Peace at the periscope of a submarine, Peace going in for the kill…

The sub-lieutenant was dutifully sympathetic. ' You were his friend, sir, weren't you? They say he was the greatest skipper that ever took a submarine to sea..

I had my own memories of that. I cut him short. The manner of our parting ate into me like acid, now. ` Can I see him?'

Afraid not, sir.'

I got up. I had to see Geoffrey Peace-only once again. Not the way we had parted, with a flare of anger and a shrug. `