Before the Soldier could answer, the guide turned, and holding up his hand demanded silence.
"We approach the stage," he declaimed. "Silence is essential."
He led the way between some trees, and finally halted behind a clump of low bushes.
"Personally," he whispered, "I am a man of peace, but it struck me from my rudimentary knowledge of pugilism that the clearing in front was ideally suited to that brutal form of amusement. And when I suggested it to Hugh, he quite agreed."
"You suggested it to Hugh!" said the Soldier slowly, and gradually a look of comprehension began to dawn in his eyes. "Why, Actor-man, Actor-man, I retract every thought I've had about you to-night."
He peered cautiously through the bushes, and a slow smile spread over his face.
"Tell me, Actor-man," he whispered, "how did you get the other?"
"I howled such insults as I could think of in my poor way through the window."
Then he, too, cautiously peered over the top of the bush. "What think you of my show, Soldier-man?"
"It is altogether beautiful and lovely to regard," replied the other. "Can the Church see?"