The search proved to be in vain, and the occupants of the old palace, as they talked the matter over, felt more and more the awkwardness of their position, troubled, as they were, constantly by the knowledge that the place they had looked upon as a stronghold was weak to a degree in its most vital part, since their enemies could evidently elude their watchfulness and strike at them whenever they pleased.
“I don’t know what’s to be done,” said Dick. “I felt sure that I had hit upon the way in which it was all managed.”
“So you have,” said Wyatt; “only you have not got quite enough. But there, I’ll tell you what to do.”
“What?” cried Dick eagerly.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes. I’m pretty good over my work as an officer, Dick, old fellow, but I’m only a big, stupid boy in other things.”
“You! What nonsense!”
“It’s a fact, Dicky, and I know it and have come to be a bit of a philosopher.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Dick.