"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."