"Begorry, the ould place 'ud hev bin a pile of cinders in an hour's time," declared the policeman.
It was Jess's turn to give an hysterical little sob.
Roy turned to Jimsy.
"Did you see anything? The place is reeking with kerosene. It was a plot to destroy the aëroplanes and perhaps ourselves."
"I—I—"
Jimsy stammered. The words seemed to choke up in his throat. How was he to confess that he had failed in his trust—had slept while danger threatened?
"Well?"
Roy waited, plainly surprised. It was not like Jimsy to hesitate and stammer in this way.
At last it came out with a rush.
"I—I—you'll never forgive me, any of you—I was asleep."