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to consult a specialist.”
    Owen nodded.
    â€œHave you seen him?”
    â€œI had an appointment yesterday, sir. He examined me thoroughly, and then—well, then he what you might call passed sentence. He told me that my chances of recovery were about one in a thousand.”
    â€œBad as that!” Greystoke leaned back in his chair. “I am sorry—very sorry. Afraid it must have been rather an unpleasant dose to swallow.”
    â€œI was more or less prepared for it. I could see what I was up against by the M.O.’s manner at Plymouth.”
    â€œStill, I don’t imagine it would ease the blow to any great extent.”
    â€œNot that you’d notice, sir.” Owen smiled crookedly. “When one’s whole career is suddenly knocked edgeways—”
    â€œMustn’t talk like that, Bradwell.” The elder man shook his head. “I’m not trying to minimise the disaster: it’s a heartrending thing to happen to anyone, especially to a fellow of your age. I realise exactly what it means to you; but as far as its putting an end to your career is concerned—well, that’s absolute nonsense. You don’t imagine that in the present state of affairs we are going to allow a man with your record to slip through our fingers?”
    A tinge of colour mounted into Owen’s tanned cheeks.
    â€œYou think they could still find some use for me, sir?”
    â€œPlenty of uses. When the balloon goes up—as it very soon will—every experienced officer will be absolutely invaluable. In a sense, Bradwell, you’re lucky. If this had occurred five or six years ago you wouldn’t have stood a chance. They would merely have opened the door politely and bowed you out. As it is, you can make your mind quite easy. Strictly between ourselves, I have already brought your case to the notice of the Second Lord, and I can guarantee that in a very short while you will find yourself posted to a job ashore in which the trouble with your eyesight won’t handicap you in the slightest. I know it isn’t the same thing as having a commission afloat, but whatever the work is it will be just as essential to the Service, and, if it’s any consolation, you will probably stand just as good a chance of being blown to smithereens. There will be no ‘cushy billets’ this time—the Luftwaffe will look after that for us.”
    â€œIt’s very kind of you, sir, and I am extremely grateful.” Owen paused. “I don’t know why you should have troubled yourself—”
    â€œAs I mentioned before, I have been in communication with Carmichael.” Greystoke tipped off the end of his cigar. “He seems to have rather a high opinion of you, Bradwell. I won’t tell you what he actually said or it might make you conceited.”
    Owen smiled uncomfortably. “That’s—that’s Captain Carmichael’s way, sir. He is always ready to do a good turn to anyone who has served under him.”
    â€œI doubt it. I am inclined to give him credit for being a trifle more selective than you appear to imagine. Anyhow, his judgment is good enough for me, and I have reason to assume that it carries a certain amount of weight at the Admiralty. Otherwise. I should not have been empowered to make a certain suggestion which may or may not appeal to you.”
    Owen’s face lit up hopefully. “I should be very interested to know what it is, sir.”
    â€œWhen you were out in China did you happen to hear anything about a man called Medlicot—Lieutenant A. G. Medlicot? He must have been a year or two junior to you.”
    â€œI saw that he had died, sir. There was a notice in one of the papers just before we sailed for home.”
    â€œYes, he died rather suddenly. In fact—this is absolutely private and mustn’t go any farther—he took his own life by shooting himself through the head.”
    Owen raised his