"We!" repeated his friend. "What d'ye mean by we? You didn't go jawing about it in the regiment, Bill?"
"When I say we," answered the other, with something of a blush, "I mean me and Mrs. Lushington."
"What had she to do with it?" asked Daisy, pushing his plate away, and lighting a cigar. "She didn't send the stuff, I'll take my oath!"
"But she knows who did," said Bill, filling a meerschaum pipe of liberal dimensions, with profound gravity.
Then they smoked in silence for several minutes.
"It's a very rum go," observed Daisy, after a prolonged and thoughtful puff. "I don't know when I've been so completely at fault. Tell me what you've heard, Bill, for you have heard something, I'm sure. In the first place, how came you to take counsel with Mrs. Lushington?"
"Because she is up to every move in the game," was the answer. "Because she's the cleverest woman in London, and the nicest. Because I was regularly beat, and could think of nobody else to help me at short notice. The telegram said, 'Do not lose a moment.'"
"And what did she make of it?" asked Daisy.
"Tumbled to the whole plant in three minutes," answered Bill. "Put the telegram straight—bulls, honey, and all—as easy as wheeling into line. I tell you, we know as much as you do now, and more. You've got three 'thou,' Daisy, ready-money down, to do what you like with. Isn't that right?"