I'm a diplomat to-night," he added humorously, "bound upon a 'mission of exceeding delicacy' and only a companion of your extraordinary reticence and discretion would be welcome." Man and dog turned aside into a crossroad.

It was very dark now, the only spot of cheer save for the lightning behind the hills, the coal of Philip's pipe.
"Tell me, old man," begged Philip whimsically, "what would you do?
May we not wander casually into camp and look at my beautiful gypsy lady without fussing unduly about this infernal mission?
More and more do we dislike it.

And in the morning we may respectfully rebel.

Ah, an excellent point, Nero.

To be sure our chief will be very smooth and insistent but we ourselves, you recall, have possibilities of extreme firmness.