"It all looks mighty likely, certain."

"Don't it look more than likely? Don't it look just as if it could not be
otherwise?"

"Why, yes; it does look so, that's a fact."

"Of course you would like to cast the blame somewhere else?"

"We would, that's certain."

Well, you can do it. I have already prepared the way, and if you will
follow my instructions to the letter, the thing is done?"

"Give us our parts and we will act them to the life," said Bill, who had
been spokesman for both, as was usual at such times.

"Ay," said Dick, "and to the death, too, I guess."

"Quite likely, quite likely!" rejoined Duffel. "Do you think you will have
the nerve to perform this extreme act Should it become necessary?"

"Does Lieutenant Duffel take us to be cowards, that he makes such a
white-livered insinuation?"

"By no means; I only wished to know if you were _now_ prepared for any
emergency that might come up?"

"Yes, any time and always. Go on."