“You embarrass me.”
“I love to do that!”
“But you will grant what we ask?”
“I’ll see about it and let you know to-morrow,” she replied, as she started for the door.
The following morning at breakfast they again questioned her. She had not yet had an opportunity to attend to the matter. At mid-day the same answer, but a promise that they should have word at the next meal.
The next meal came and with it Valerie. The captives felt their hearts sink at her first words. Colonel Henry would not see them.
“What was it he said when our message was given him?” asked Mortimer, “and by whom was it given?”
Valerie hesitated in a manner very unusual to her before replying. Then she broke out impetuously:
“He did not say anything, because the message wasn’t carried. It would have been useless. Papa tells me that the High President gave imperative orders that Colonel Henry was not to deal in any way with you. You are held subject to the orders of the High President himself.”
“Why didn’t you send the message anyhow?” demanded Mortimer, a bit impatiently. “Colonel Henry might decide to see us—you can’t tell. You don’t realize how important it is that we see him.”