She pressed his arm gratefully and glided across the room. The next moment she was at his side, offering the water-jug. "Capital!" whispered Lionel. "Drench him first, then stun him with the jug. Any other trifles to bestow? Soap--hair-brushes--a boot or two? Any little knickknacks----" "The ladder is moving!" It was being shifted a few inches, apparently to a better foothold. Lionel seized the jug and made ready for action. "Cigar or cocoa-nut, lidy?" he whispered joyously as he threw up the sash. CHAPTER XXI THE THORNY PATH "Dinner _as_ usual, sir?" said the landlord of The Happy Heart, looking into the parlor where Tony and Robert were playing piquet. "Please, Mr. Glew," said Tony. "Seven o'clock as usual. Oh, by the way, have you got such a thing as a lantern?" "A lantern!" interjected Robert in surprise. "Why, what----" He was checked by a kick under the table. "I dare say I can find you one, sir," said the landlord. "We don't need 'em these summer nights, but I'll be bound there's one knocking about somewhere." "Thanks. My friend and I are enthusiastic collectors of butterflies and moths. We mean to try for some of the latter to-night; so, if we are not in till late, you won't be surprised or imagine burglars." "Bless you, no, sir!" said Glew, and went out to look for the lantern. As soon as the door closed Robert began to speak. "Don't think me censorious, Mr. Wild, if you please; but, really now, was there any need for that?" "The lantern? Rather! We may have to----" "No--not the lantern. The--the perversion----" "Oh! you mean the lie. Don't apologize, Bangs, old chap! you haven't offended me in the least. I like people to say what they think.--Well, the lie.... Yes, I think it was necessary. Conspirators can't stick at trifles. Besides, it's on _my_ conscience, so there's no need for you to worry." "But wouldn't an excuse----" "Have done equally well? Possibly, though I never save the ha'porth of tar. And an excuse would have been only a lie in another form--just as culpable. But don't let's worry over this: I want to tell you of the plan of campaign." Robert subsided, content to have recorded a protest, however mild. He loved adventure; but, being a man trained in meticulous accuracy, he did not take kindly to deception--verbal deception, at any rate. The path of an adventurer he had found a trifle thorny, trodden by a man of conscience, but still he had enjoyed it and hoped to tread it still further. But he was careful to leave most of the talking to his comrade.