"I have made up my mind to take you with me, so you must manage it somehow. What is the other difficulty?"
Before answering, I took the precaution of opening the door to see whether we were favoured with a listener. Although there was nobody visible I heard the sound of retreating footsteps, which made me a little suspicious.
"That's it," said Peter, pointing with his thumb over his right shoulder.
"Yes," I replied; "don't talk loud. What excuse could I give? What have you said? That you are going to masquerade at a carnival ball?"
"Not likely. I am depending on you for a satisfactory reason."
"As usual. To begin with, it will not do to tell our wives we are going to France."
"Not at all. One of the papers would be sure to do a gushing article on the frolics of the carnival, and we should be found out and settled."
"Do you transact any business with Liverpool?" I asked.
"Sometimes. I see your drift."