Moreover, since it was not deemed wise to draw attention by starting a fire in the shack, the repast consisted solely of cold bread and meat, and no table implements which might have proved of some service were handed out. The day wore on in a succession of frustrated hopes. Ten o’clock brought Simmons on as sentinel again, but, warned by his previous experience, he was, if no less loquacious, decidedly more watchful. The end of his shift at one o’clock found the prisoners as far as ever from a solution of their problem, and the time at their disposal half gone. Practically their sole hope lay now in what scheme they could frame up to circumvent Simmons when he again came on from four to seven; and Grail by this time had about come to the conclusion that Simmons was almost as difficult to circumvent as Matschka. Perhaps, however, came the thought, he could be won or brought over to their aid. The deserter had dropped one or two remarks which rather indicated that he was not altogether satisfied with the bargain he had made, and was chafing under the autocratic rule of his Muscovite employer. Recalling these symptoms of discontent, and reflecting, too, that Simmons would no doubt sell out his present associates as readily as he had the former ones, the adjutant set himself to pondering the arguments and promises which he considered would prove most persuasive. By a stroke of luck, he had an opportunity to use them sooner than he had expected. About two o’clock, Minowsky appeared with a message from their leader directing Matschka to return to Brentford, and surrender himself to the police. “All you’ve got to do, he says,” explained the emissary, “is to stick to it that you don’t know Simmons, and that, if he used your room, it was entirely without your knowledge or consent. They haven’t got any real evidence against you, and the worst you can get, the chief says, in a couple of days behind the bars. Anyhow, you’ve got to do it, he says, to throw off the detectives. While they’re busy trying to get something out of you, they won’t be poking around in the other directions, and maybe stumbling onto something that would hurt.” The big Russian, trained to military obedience, did not hesitate, or even question the order. With an indifferent grunt, he arose, and at once prepared to accompany the other back to town. Left thus alone in charge of Simmons, Grail lost no time in commencing his overtures; and Cato, promptly scenting what was in the wind, ably seconded his efforts. For a time, Simmons paid little heed to them. He was busy poring over a newspaper which Minowsky had brought, and from his unhappy expression it was evident that he was far from pleased with what he read. Finally, he cast the sheet from him, and sat nursing his knees in moody silence.