Diggs leaped to his feet stammering and retreating.
"Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Excuse me. I was only waiting for Comrade Adair, sir! Excuse me, sir, I'll go at once!"
He stumbled through the door and disappeared.
The Bard of Ramcat watched this scene with increasing terror. He had prepared an eloquent and daring appeal for freedom of speech. He tried to open his mouth, but Wolf's gaze froze the blood in his veins. His tongue refused to move. He sat huddled in a heap, trembling and shifting uneasily in his seat.
At length the regent spoke with sneering patronage:
"You wield a facile pen, Adair. I admire the glib ability with which you pour out gaseous matter from your overheated imagination."
The Bard scrambled to his feet and bowed low in humble submission, fumbling his slouch hat tremblingly.
"I meant no harm, sir, I assure you. A great leader of your power and genius can make allowances for poetic fervour. I'm sure you know that my whole soul is aflame with enthusiasm for our noble Cause!"
"Well, upon my word," Wolf laughed, "you're developing into a nimble liar! You used to be quite brutal in the frankness of your criticisms."
"But I see the error of my way, sir," the Bard humbly cried.