“Well—er,” stammered Hugh, “there’s a big element of risk—er—don’t you know, and there’s no earthly reason why you fellows should get roped in and all that. I mean—er—I’m sort of pledged to see the thing through, don’t you know, and——” He relapsed into silence, and stared at the tablecloth, uncomfortably aware of three pairs of eyes fixed on him.
“Well—er——” mimicked Algy, “there’s a big element of risk—er—don’t you know, and I mean—er—we’re sort of pledged to bung you through the window, old bean, if you talk such consolidated drivel.”
Hugh grinned sheepishly.
“Well, I had to put it to you fellows. Not that I ever thought for a moment you wouldn’t see the thing through—but last evening is enough to show you that we’re up against a tough crowd. A damned tough crowd,” he added thoughtfully. “That being so,” he went on briskly, after a moment or two, “I propose that we should tackle the blighters to-night.”
“To-night!” echoed Darrell. “Where?”
“At The Elms, of course. That’s where the wretched Potts is for a certainty.”
“And how do you propose that we should set about it?” demanded Sinclair.
Drummond drained his port and grinned gently.
“By stealth, dear old beans—by stealth. You—and I thought we might rake in Ted Jerningham, and perhaps Jerry Seymour, to join the happy throng—will make a demonstration in force, with the idea of drawing off the enemy, thereby leaving the coast clear for me to explore the house for the unfortunate Potts.”
“Sounds very nice in theory,” said Darrell dubiously, “but...”