"I have orders to serve dinner at 7.30," answered Grew.
For three hours John and his companion, acting upon orders, had been waiting in Dacent Smith's room. The Chief had been called suddenly to a meeting of the War Council, and had not returned.
"I expect there are big things afoot," observed John, glancing at the other.
"It's a bit unusual," answered the Captain, "for him to stay so long. Perhaps he has ferreted out something new, and is communicating what he knows to the mighty ones."
He suddenly turned and looked close at John.
"How do you like our sort of work, Treves?"
"There is nothing to beat it," John answered. "My only trouble is that I am apt to lose my temper. Somehow I cannot stomach spies, but traitors always make me see red."
The Captain looked at him with smiling eyes.
"Mrs. Beecher Monmouth. The Chief would never trust me there. She is too beautiful by far, eh, Treves?"
John agreed that Mrs. Monmouth's beauty was undeniable.