"I shouldn't wonder," replied Tony cheerfully. "Do you mind going out into the hall for a minute, Bugg? I am sorry to leave you out of it, but one must respect the wishes of one's guests." It was the first occasion on which Bugg had ever received an order from Tony that he had hesitated over the immediate fulfilment. "It ain't as I want to 'ear wot they says, sir," he explained apologetically. "It's leavin' you alone with the blighters I don't like." "I shan't be alone, 'Tiger,'" said Tony. "I shall have this excellent little Mauser pistol to keep me company." Bugg walked reluctantly to the door. "I'll only be just in the 'all if you want me," he observed. "You'll watch aht for any dirty work, won't ye, sir?" "I shall," said Tony: "most intently." He waited until the door had closed, and then seated himself on the corner of the table, with the Mauser dangling between his knees. "Well, gentlemen?" he observed encouragingly. "Sir Antony Conway," said the taller of the two. "Will you permit me to ask you a perfectly frank question? Are you aware of the identity of this young lady, in whose behalf you seem to have interested yourself?" "Of course I am," said Tony. "And may we take it that in coming as you thought to her assistance you acted from--" he paused--"from entirely private motives?" He waited for the answer with an eagerness that was plainly visible. Tony nodded. "I never act from anything else," he remarked. The tall man turned to his companion. "It is as I suggested, Colonel," he observed, with an air of quiet triumph. The other still glared suspiciously at Tony. "Have a care," he muttered. "Who knows that he is speaking the truth." The tall man made a gesture of impatience. "You do not understand the English nobility, Colonel." He turned back to Tony. "Permit us to introduce ourselves. This is Colonel Saltero of the Livadian army. My name is Congosta--Señor Eduardo Congosta. It is a name not unknown among Livadian Loyalists." Tony bowed bravely to the pair of them. "I am delighted to meet you both," he said. "I can't profess any great admiration for your distinguished monarch, but perhaps I don't know his finer qualities." "Our distinguished monarch," repeated the Colonel darkly. "Of whom do you speak, Sir Antony?" Tony raised his eyebrows. "Why--Peter of course," he said. "Pedro, I should say. Have you more than one of them?" Colonel Saltero, who was still upon his feet, scowled more savagely than ever. "That miserable impostor," he exclaimed. "I----" "You misunderstand us, sir," put in the smoother voice of Señor Congosta. "The person you refer to has no legitimate claim to the throne of Livadia. Like all true Loyalists we are followers of his late Majesty King Francisco the First." It was a startling announcement, but Tony's natural composure stood him in good stead. "Really!" he said slowly. "How extremely interesting! I thought you had all been exterminated."