“Well, rather!”
“Do you doubt the success of the undertaking?”
“No, sir. I see only one chance for failure.”
“And that?”
“I have made this Raid a study. If anything occurs to prevent my leading the expedition, and you put another man at the head, it will fail.”
“Even if it be Vernet?”
“Even Vernet. Satan himself would fail in those alleys, unless he knew the ground.”
“And yet you would share your honors with Vernet for friendship’s sake? Dick, you are a queer fish! But why do you suggest a possibility of your absence?”
“Because,” sliding off the table and pulling his hat low over his eyes, “The Raid is thirty-six hours distant, and one never knows what may happen in thirty-six hours. Is there any thing else, sir?”
“Yes; I’ve a dainty bit of mystery for you. No blind alleys and thieves dens in this; it’s for to-morrow evening, too.”