TheCompleteMemoirsOfGeorgeSherston

But what fulminations could be effective against one
whose only object was to be put under arrest? . . .
"As long as he doesn't really think I'm dotty!35 I
thought. But he showed no symptom of that, as far as
I was aware; and he was a man who made one feel
that he trusted one's integrity, however much he
might disagree with one's opinions.

No solution having been arrived at for the present,
he now suggested—in confidential tones which some-
how implied sympathetic understanding of my pre-
dicament—that I should go to the Exchange Hotel in
Liverpool and there await further instructions. I
gladly acquiesced, and we emerged from the hut a
little less funereally than we had entered it. My taxi-
man was still waiting, for in my bewilderment I had
forgotten to pay him. Once more the Major grasped
my hand, and if I did not thank him for his kindness
it was because my gratitude was too great. So I
trundled unexpectedly back to Liverpool; and al-
though, in all likelihood, my troubles were only just
starting, an immense load had been lifted from my
mind. At the Exchange Hotel (which was quiet and
rarely frequented by the Clitherland officers) I thor-
oughly enjoyed my tea, for I'd eaten nothing since
breakfast. After that I lit my pipe and thought how
nice it was not to be under arrest. I had got over the
worst part of the show, and now there was nothing to
be done except stick to my statement and wait for the
M.P. to read it out in the House of Commons.

VII

FOR THE next three days I hung about the Ex-
change Hotel in a state of mind which need not
be described. I saw no one I knew except a couple of

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