His Excellency was nowhere to be seen.
The colonel shook Johnny roughly by the arm.

The latter opened his eyes and said sleepily: "Steady there.

Kindly remember I'm a trifle fragile." "What's this infernal plot?
Where's Whittingham ?" "Ah, it's McGregor," said Johnny, with a bland smile, "and Martin.

How are you, old fellow?
Some beast's hit me on the head." "Where's Whittingham ?" reiterated the colonel, savagely shaking Johnny's arm.
"Gently!" said I; "after all, he's a sick man." The colonel dropped the arm with a muttered oath, and Johnny said, sweetly: "Quits, isn't it, colonel ?" The colonel turned from him, and said to his men sternly: "Have you had any hand in this ?" They protested vehemently that they were as astonished as we were; and so they were, unless they acted consummately.

They denied that anyone had entered the outer room or that any sound had proceeded from the inner.