“And were you ever decorated?” asked Hinks, leafing through his notes.
Young smiled. The first mistake Hinks had made.
“I was awarded the MBE,” said Finch matter-of-factly.
“Good show,” said Bruce. “That’s not something they give out with the rations.”
“I see no mention of this decoration in your records,” blustered Hinks, trying to recover.
“Perhaps that’s because I didn’t feel one’s place of birth, educational qualifications, and marital status had much to do with attempting to climb the highest mountain on earth.”
Hinks was silenced for the first time.
“Well, if there are no more questions,” said Sir Francis, “allow me to thank Mr. Finch for attending this meeting.” He hesitated before adding, “Someone will be in touch with you in the near future.”
Finch rose from his place, nodded to Young, and was just about to leave when Hinks said, “Just one more question. Can I confirm that, like Mr. Mallory, you would be willing to undergo a medical examination?”
“Of course I would,” said Finch, and left the room without another word.
“Rum sort of fellow, don’t you think?” said Raeburn once the porter had closed the door.
“But surely there can be no doubting his ability as an alpine climber,” said Young.
Hinks smiled. “No doubt you’re right, Young, but we at the RGS have always been wary of social climbers.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little rough, Hinks?” said Sir Francis. “Considering the chap’s war record.” Turning to Bruce, he asked, “You’ve led men into battle, General. What did you make of the fellow?”
“I’d prefer to have him on my side rather than the enemy’s, that’s for sure,” said Bruce. “Given a fair wind, I think I could knock him into shape.”
“What do we do next?” asked Sir Francis, turning back to Hinks for guidance.
“The members should now proceed to vote on their choice for climbing leader, Mr. Chairman. For the convenience of the committee I’ve had ballot papers prepared, on which members may place a cross beside the name of their preferred candidate.” Hinks handed a slip of paper to each member of the committee. “Once you’ve made your choice, please return your ballot papers to me.”
The process took only a few moments, and as Hinks counted the votes, a thin smile appeared on his face that grew wider every time he opened another ballot paper. He finally passed the result across to the chairman, so that he could officially announce the outcome.
“Five votes for Mallory. And there’s one abstention,” said Younghusband, unable to hide his surprise.
“It was me again,” announced Young.
“But you know both the candidates well,” said Sir Francis. “After all, it was you who placed their names in front of the committee.”
“Perhaps I know them too well,” replied Young. “They are both fine young men in their different ways, but after all these years I still can’t make up my mind which one of them is more likely to accomplish the feat of being the first man to stand on top of the world.”
“I am in no doubt which man I’d prefer to see representing this country,” said Hinks.
There were mutterings of “Hear, hear,” but not from all quarters.
“Any other business?” asked Younghusband.
“We should simply confirm for the official record,” said Hinks, “that now that we have appointed a climbing leader, we willingly accept nem. con. Mr. Young’s recommendations for the remaining eight places in the climbing team.”
“Yes, of course,” said Sir Francis. “After all, that is no more than I agreed with the Alpine Club prior to this committee being set up.”
“I hope,” remarked Ashcroft, “that not too many of them are cut from the same cloth as that fellow Finch.”
“No fear of that,” said Hinks, looking down at the list. “Apart from Finch, they’re all Oxford or Cambridge men.”
“Well, that must just about wrap it up,” said Sir Francis.