"But I thought we weren't to be seen with them?" Royce said.
"There can be no reason against it now," Hugh replied. "They have learned all they wanted to learn about it, and know that we are going together. At any rate our meeting would seem to be accidental."
"Is anything up, Hugh?" Royce asked as they made their way through the crowd in the square. "You look troubled."
"I will tell you directly, Bill."
"There they are. They are still at the same table, Hugh."
There were two empty chairs at the table. Hugh nodded carelessly to the doctor and Sim, and sat down beside them.
"After what you told me this morning, doctor, there can be no harm in our being seen together. I want to talk to you badly. There are too many people about here. Do you mind both coming down to the river. We can talk as we go."
Directly they were out of the square he told the three men what had happened.
"Carried off those two young ladies!" Royce exclaimed. "By thunder, that is too bad. What is to be done, boys?"
"Let us wait until we know all about it," Sim replied; while the doctor said, in his quiet way, "This has really got to be put a stop to. Let us wait until we are down by the river. We must hear all this quietly, Lightning. Four men can't talk as they walk."