“There is, no doubt, a criminal court and a prison at Monaco?”
“Oh yes; and if, unfortunately, you are caught, you will all be sentenced for life, I imagine.”
“I don’t call that being let off easy,” grunted Teddy.
“Perhaps not in theory, but in practice, yes; for in a year or so you will find yourselves free to stroll about the town, and even down to Monte Carlo.”
“In fact, bolt?” said Masters.
“Exactly; more especially if your relatives pay due attention to the jailers and see they want for nothing. In conclusion, gentlemen, I drink to your enterprise, and wish you all well through it. Au revoir!” And with a courteous bow and wave of his gloved hand (he wore dogskin gloves the whole time), Mr. Bailey Thompson, accompanied by the jubilant Brentin, withdrew.
“Well,” I said, “what do you say now?”
There was a brief silence, and then Teddy Parsons observed, “It seems to me we may as well go.”
“Half a million of money!” murmured Forsyth, meditatively, “and most of it for hospitals.”
“I think, out of that, you might manage to stand me a swimming-bath as well as a gymnasium, eh?” whispered Bob Hines.