"A secret," said Dawson sententiously, "is a secret when known to one only. If two know of it there is grave danger. If three, one might as well shout it from the housetops. Therefore I keep my own counsel." "That is just what I said," cried Froissart triumphantly. "If the secret of these _grand croiseurs_ is known to one hundred, two hundred, _le bon Dieu_ knows how many hundreds of dockyard hands, one might as well print it in these dull English _journaux_. You attempt the impossible, _mon ami_." "They are Englishmen," proclaimed Dawson, who felt compelled to uphold the character of his countrymen in the presence of a foreigner. "They are patriots. Not a man of them would sell his country." "I would not bank on their patriotism, my friend, when there is much Boche gold to be won and much beer to be drunk." "And who said that I did bank upon it?" cried Dawson testily, forgetting his noble, words of two minutes earlier. "I wouldn't trust one of them out of my sight. I have two dozen of my own men working alongside of those dockyard hands, watching them by night and day. We know if a man drinks two glasses of beer when he used to drink one, and takes home to his wife eighteenpence above his ordinary wage. Do you take me for a fool?" "You'll be a bigger fool than I take you for if you do not play straight this time with me, and tell me your plans in detail. I have to work with you, and I cannot give service blindfold." "You are not a bad fellow, Froissart," said Dawson thoughtfully--the name in his mouth became Froy-zart--"and I will tell you here and now more of my mind than I have yet shown even to the great Chief of us all. It will take all your brains--for you have some brains--and all of mine to keep the secret of those battle-cruisers." * * * * *