Glodstone looked cautiously round the range before replying. 'The call to action,' he said solemnly. 'I can't give any details except to say that it's a matter of life and death.'
'Gosh, sir, you mean '
'Let's just say I've been asked to help. Now, as I understand it, your folks are in Italy and you've nothing on.'
For a moment Peregrine's literal mind struggled with the statement before he caught its meaning. 'No, sir, I've been trying to phone my uncle but I can't get through.'
'In which case you won't be missed. That's number one. Number two is we've three weeks in which to do the job. I take it you've got a passport.'
Peregrine shook his head. Glodstone polished his monocle thoughtfully. 'In that case we'll have to think of something.'
'You mean we're going abroad?'
'To France,' said Glodstone, 'that is, if you're game. Before you answer, you must know that we'll be acting outside the law with no holds barred. I mean, it won't be any picnic'
But Peregrine was already enthralled. 'Of course I'm game, sir. You can count me in.'
'Good man,' said Glodstone and clapped him on the shoulder. 'Now as to a passport, I have an idea. Didn't Mr Massey take the fifth-form French to Boulogne last year?'
'Yes sir.'
'And Barnes had flu and couldn't go. If I'm not wrong, the Bursar said he'd kept his temporary visitor's passport back. It could be he still has it in his office.'
'But I don't look a bit like Barnes.'
Glodstone smiled. 'You will by the time you cross,' he said, 'We'll see to that. And now for weapons. You don't by any chance have the key to armoury, do you?'
'Well, yes sir. The Major said I could keep my eye in so long as I didn't blow my head off.'
'In that case, we'll pay the gunroom a visit. We need to go armed and two revolvers won't be missed.'
'They will, sir,' said Peregrine. 'The Major always checks the guns.'
'I can't see him doing it in his present condition,' said Glodstone. 'Still, I don't like going unprepared.'
For once Peregrine had the answer. 'There's a smashing shop for replica guns in Birmingham, sir. I mean if we '
'Splendid,' said Glodstone. 'The Major wants some whisky. We can kill two birds with one stone.'
That evening the substitutions were made and two .38 Webleys with several hundred rounds of ammunition were stored in cardboard boxes beneath the seats of the Bentley. And the problem of the passport had been solved too. Glodstone had found Barnes's in the Bursar's office.
'Now it remains to convince the Major that you're going to your uncle's. Tell him you're catching the ten o'clock train and I'll pick you up at the bus-stop in the village. We don't want to be seen leaving the school together. So hop along to his room and then turn in. We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.'
Glodstone went up to his rooms and sat on in the evening sunlight studying his route on the map and sipping pink gins. It was nine before he remembered the Major's Scotch and took him the two bottles.
'Bless you, old lad,' said the Major, 'You'll find a couple of glasses in the cupboard. Saved my life. And Perry's off to his uncle's tomorrow.'
'Really?' said Glodstone. 'Anyway, your very good health.'
'Going to need it by the feel of things. Bloody nuisance being cooped up here with no one much to chat to. Are you staying around for long?'
