"Cold and haughty nothing!" broke in the third man. "I was there and I'll swear he winked." "No, I didn't wink," laughed Vernon. "Though perhaps I should if I'd dared--they're mighty taking girls!" "Well, what _did_ you do?" demanded Collins, with just a trace of impatience. Again Vernon laughed. "I sent 'em back a note asking 'em not to tell," he said. Collins threw up his hands in horror and the third man grinned sardonically. Vernon looked at them and kept on laughing. "You two fellows take it too seriously," he added. "I don't believe they'll tell." "I thought you knew women better than that," said Collins, reproachfully. "I do know them--better than any dried-up diplomat, at least,--and I believe we can trust these two--for a few days, anyway. How much time do we need?" "A week, at the very least. Fancy asking a woman to keep a secret for a week! And as for taking it too seriously, you know how much depends on it." "Yes," observed Vernon, sarcastically, "you fellows seem to think the peace of Europe depends on it." "I should say that would not be overstating it in the least," said Collins, with a solemnity almost religious. "Oh, nonsense; you diplomatic fellows make mountains out of molehills; you see a storm in every cloud; you imagine the lightning's going to strike you every time it flashes! You're all nerves!" "Anyway, you agreed--" "Yes, I know I agreed," interrupted Vernon, irritably, "and I was a fool to do it." "Besides," added Blake, "we've got to play very close, since it happens that Markeld is in this very hotel. We supposed, of course, that he would go on to London. I must say that I think he showed exceedingly poor taste in following us here." "Oh, I don't know," said Vernon. "I think it was rather enterprising. I only wish we could treat the poor devil fairly." "Well, since he is here," continued Blake, "there's only one thing for you to do, and that is to stay under cover." "But, confound it!" protested Vernon, "I can't stay cooped up here in these rooms all the time!" "That's the only safe way," observed Collins. "Suppose Markeld should find out how the land lies! The fat would be in the fire for sure; and we'd be in a mighty awkward position! Suppose the jingoes got hold of it!" and he turned pale at the thought. "Well, I won't stay shut up, that's certain," said Vernon, doggedly. "As for the jingoes, let them rave!" "That's easy to say," retorted Collins, with irony, "when some one else has to bear the brunt of it." Vernon snorted impatiently. "You may frighten yourself whenever you please," he said, "but you can't frighten me. I've heard the cry of 'Wolf! Wolf!' entirely too often." "But the wolf came at last," Blake pointed out. "Well, it isn't coming this time; and I don't care if it is. I repeat, categorically and imperatively, _I won't stay shut up!"_ "You agreed to obey our instructions, you know." "Every one has the right to rebel against a tyrant!"