"Did you describe the third?"
"How could I, when I never saw him?"
I had put the last question as a test of Crawley's truthfulness; if he had answered otherwise, the doubts I had of his veracity would have been strengthened.
"You believe he is speaking the truth, Bob?" I asked my friend, Crawley being out of hearing.
"What reason has he to tell lies?" asked Bob, in return.
"To show that he is doing something toward earning his wages."
"That's cutting it rather fine," said Bob. "You are giving Crawley credit for intellect; I think he is not overstocked in that respect. Can't afford to throw away a chance, Agnold."
"Certainly not, and this chance shall not be slighted. But we will not risk everything upon the hazard. My plan is this. Crawley, Sophy, and I will go to Monkshead on a voyage of discovery. You shall remain here to take advantage of anything that may turn up. I will keep you posted as to our movements; you will keep me posted as to yours. Blessings on the electric telegraph. You will repeat all telegrams that arrive for me to such places as I shall direct, retaining the originals in case of miscarriage. Do you agree to all this?"
"I must," said Bob, "though I would rather go with you."
"There would then be no one left in command here, and we should be burning our ships."