"Then why haven't you done it a long while ago?" demanded Stubbs.
"Anything is better than remaining here like this."
"I haven't done it before for fear of discovery," said Nikol.
"My idea exactly," agreed Ivan.
"It would be better," Nikol continued, "to wait until we are sure we shall not be disturbed again during the night. Then Ivan and I shall free ourselves and release the others. I believe it would be unwise now."
"Good reasoning, Nikol," said Hal. "We shall wait, as you suggest."
Nikol became silent again. Ivan said nothing either.
"But it's awfully tiresome being trussed up like this," Stubbs protested.
"Better a little tiresomeness now than a bullet in the morning, Mr.
Stubbs," returned Chester.
"Right you are, Chester, I'll kick no more," said Stubbs.
He, too, became silent.