You forget we've got to make our position safe." "Exactly.

The colonel's government must be carried on," said I.
The signorina did not catch the allusion.

She yawned, and said: "Oh, then, I shall go.

Rely on my loyalty, your Excellency." She made him a courtesy and went to the door.

As I opened it for her she whispered, "Horrid old bear! Come and see me, Jack," and so vanished, carrying off her dollars.
I returned and sat down opposite the colonel.
"I wonder how she knew about the washing-stand," I remarked.
"Because Whittingham was fool enough to tell her, I suppose," said the colonel testily, as if he disliked the subject.
Then we settled to business.