We were none of us advanced enough for you.

How often have we gathered round you, Charles, to listen to your philosophy! And there is Sibylle, too! Don't tell me that Sibylle was a police spy also.

But you are joking, Charles.
Say that you are joking!' The man relaxed his grim features, and his eyes puckered with amusement.
'Your astonishment is very flattering,' said he.

'I confess that I thought that I played my part rather cleverly.

It is not my fault that these bunglers unleashed their hound, but at least I shall have the credit of having made a single-handed capture of one very desperate and dangerous conspirator.' He smiled drily at this description of his prisoner.