"The 'Timon' is returning," announced a major of artillery. "Come along, boys; let's settle up and foot it."
The host, with many expressions of regret at the departure of his guests, bade them farewell.
"Ze Inglis papairs 'ave arrive," he vociferated. "All ze war-news an' big police news. Me sell copy—only one lira."
"Evidently Old Umberto imagines the latter item is an irresistible bait," remarked the A.P. as he unfolded a five days' old copy of a London evening journal. "Anything startling, I wonder?"
"Nothing much," replied Farrar, who was already glancing down the columns. "Usual tosh. One minister makes a flamboyant speech; his colleague utters a jeremiad that would make an outsider imagine that everything was lost. Some very pertinent questions asked in the House on naval matters, by Jove! Hullo, what's this? 'German Prisoners Escape:—On Monday evening four German naval officers succeeded in escaping from Stresdale Camp, and up to the time of going to press they are still at liberty. The names and descriptions of the escaped prisoners are: Otto von Loringhoven, aged 32, speaks English fluently.' What do you think of that?"
"They won't get far," declared Greenwood optimistically. "We'll read in a day or two that they've been collared."
"Let's hope so," added the sub.