The other nodded. The laughter quickly vanished from his face and an expression of vexation took its place.
“You are right,” he said. “And as it was, to have broken into the inn at Bristol and taken the message by force would have been the proper way of going about it.”
“Don’t forget that our friend Royce tried something of the sort only an hour or so south of the town. His success was no greater than mine.”
“He did not count upon resistance. If he had, there would probably be a different story to tell.”
“Not count upon resistance!” The lieutenant laughed heartily. “Well, that’s an odd sort of way of setting out upon a venture. He and his men were armed, were they not? Then they must have thought of a possible resistance. But,” sneeringly, “when the time came, they were afraid to fire.”
There was a short silence, during which time their food was served them. When the waiter had once more departed, the man proceeded:
“When I got the news of Royce’s failure in the matter of the men from Virginia, I lost faith in him. He allowed himself to be beaten by a boy and a few grooms.”
“I don’t think his courage can be doubted.”
“Perhaps not. But his qualities as a leader can. If a competent man had been on hand to carry out that enterprise we would have broken the heart of this growing rebellion at one blow.”
“So I think, too. But,” and a deep shade of anxiety came into the speaker’s face, “as matters stand now, it looks very bad, eh?”