They have been of as much use as rabbits.

I don't believe that a single one of them got any further than the kitchens." Dorward nodded gloomily.
"I guess they weren't taking any chances up there," he remarked.
"There wasn't a secretary in the room.

Carstairs was nearly thrown out, and he had a permit to enter the Palace.

The great staircase was held with soldiers, and Dick swore that there were Maxims in the corridors." Bellamy sighed.
"We shall hear the roar of bigger guns before we are many months older, Dorward," he declared.
The journalist glanced at his friend keenly.

"You believe that ?" Bellamy shrugged his shoulders.
"Do you suppose that this meeting is for nothing ?" he asked.