"Why, we will telegraph, of course," I cried snatching up some forms that happened to lie on a davenport close within my reach. "Look here, both of you, how will this do, to be sent to each one's last known place of address?" And I bent down and scribbled rapidly the following invitation:-- "Please come to-morrow night to the Glynn's Inquiry Offices, Stanton Street, WC. Manuscripts have been found and decoded. Will put before you a scheme that will ensure success for all.--John Cooper--Nassington, Jose Casteno, Hugh Glynn." "There!" I added. "All we've got to do now is to make four copies of these and address each one to the different conspirators, and in each instance put the time we have fixed for our interview with them." "I'll be hanged if I put my name to a meek and mild bread-and-butter come-and-let-us-all-be-friends message like that," roared the Prior. "And I'll be shot if I bribe the pater to do anything for me!" stormed Casteno. But even then I would not be gainsaid. In the end I carried my point, and the telegrams were despatched by special messenger to St Martins-le-Grand, so that the recipients could not guess their place of origin. Then, worn out with the adventures of the day, we all retired to our beds, and not until the morning was far advanced did Jose come to my room, and, whilst I struggled on the border line between sleep and consciousness, shake me violently by the shoulder. "Wake up, wake up, thou sluggard!" he cried with a gaiety that was most refreshing and infectious. "While thou art dozing all manner of strange things are happening at these monastery gates. Wake up, I say, and devour this breakfast of hot coffee and grilled chops that one of the lay brethren has brought you. In truth, you will need all the physical support it is possible for man to receive from a well-lined stomach, for outside some most tremendous surprises await you." "What the dickens do you mean?" I growled, sitting suddenly bolt upright in the bed and gazing at him with the most rueful countenance. "Why puzzle with riddles a man that is but half aroused? What's up?" And I made a grab for the cup of coffee that stood on the tray on a chair by the side of my bed, and took therefrom a tremendous draught.