The crowd gave back.
Ivan turned upon the newcomers in surprise. Then he cried in a great voice:
"Well! Well! and where did you come from? I had made sure you had deserted me."
"No, we haven't deserted you," said Hal. "We simply missed you, that's all."
"Well, it's all right, anyhow," said Ivan. "Now come to the restaurant with me and I shall buy wine for all of us."
"Thanks, Ivan, but we don't drink wine," said Hal quietly. "If you will come with us to our quarters we will talk matters over."
"Not I, not until I have had wine," declared Ivan.
"But you have had enough wine," declared Chester.
"And how do you know I have had enough wine?" demanded Ivan, turning upon the lad.
"The way you talk makes it plain enough," replied Chester quietly. "Come,
Ivan, let's get away from here."