"It's no use, sir, he'll merely resign. He's as independent as an American boot-boy."
Mr. Llewellyn John flopped down in a chair, and sat gazing at Colonel Walton. "But he's got us into this muddle," he began.
"I've never known Sage's judgment at fault yet," replied Colonel Walton.
"Then you advise——" began Mr. Llewellyn John.
"I never venture to advise," was the reply.
"Now look here, Walton," said Mr. Llewellyn John persuasively, "this is a very serious matter. It has already been magnified out of all proportion to its actual importance. I want to know what you would do if you were in my place."
"Exactly as Sage advises," was the terse response.
"Why, you're as bad as he is," grumbled Mr. Llewellyn John. "Still, I suppose I must do as you suggest. I don't like the look of things, however. It's invariably the neglected trifle that wrecks a government."
The mysterious disappearance of John Dene was made the subject of special consideration at a meeting of the War Cabinet. It was urged that the curious nature of the circumstances exonerated the Prime Minister and the First Lord of the Admiralty from the personal pledge they had given to John Dene, and that it was a matter of vital national importance that the Destroyer should be put into commission with the least possible delay.
Mr. Llewellyn John looked interrogatingly across at Sir Lyster Grayne, who shook his head decisively.