"The lantern? Rather! We may have to----"
"No--not the lantern. The--the perversion----"
"Oh! you mean the lie. Don't apologize, Bangs, old chap! you haven't offended me in the least. I like people to say what they think.--Well, the lie.... Yes, I think it was necessary. Conspirators can't stick at trifles. Besides, it's on _my_ conscience, so there's no need for you to worry."
"Have done equally well? Possibly, though I never save the ha'porth of tar. And an excuse would have been only a lie in another form--just as culpable. But don't let's worry over this: I want to tell you of the plan of campaign."
Robert subsided, content to have recorded a protest, however mild. He loved adventure; but, being a man trained in meticulous accuracy, he did not take kindly to deception--verbal deception, at any rate. The path of an adventurer he had found a trifle thorny, trodden by a man of conscience, but still he had enjoyed it and hoped to tread it still further. But he was careful to leave most of the talking to his comrade.
"While you, Bangs," pursued Tony, leaning against the mantelpiece, "have been living the lotus life and acting slugabed, I have been working hard. Ever since I got a hint that Brown was in touch with The Quiet House I have been following him like the proverbial sleuth hound. I have discovered--at the expense of torn trousers and soaking feet--that he keeps tryst nightly with that charming bit of womanhood I spoke to once--and only once, alas! He has a private entry over the wall, having driven some large nails into the outer side, well off the beaten track. Up there the gay Lothario climbs--drops into the garden--meets his divinity, and _voilà tout_!"
"The usual thing, Bangs. Exchange of kisses and confidences--which I, alas! can hear but imperfectly."
"But you don't listen!" exclaimed Robert, scandalized. Tony sighed.
"I have to steel myself. In high politics, you know ... but, of course, I shall never tell."
The disappointment was obvious, and Tony laughed.
"No, old fellow, love's young dream and so forth must be respected. Honestly, I've only watched, hoping to get a clew--perhaps some conversation with the girl when Brown goes home. No good! No earthly good! Brown sees her safe to the house and then comes back. He stands on a convenient garden roller and climbs. Then he drops, and off home. Ditto me, disgusted, envious, lacking information. To-night I mean to move."