ortion to its actual importance. I want to know what you would do
if you were in my place."

"Exactly as Sage advises," was the terse response.

"Why, you're as bad as he is," grumbled Mr. Llewellyn John. "Still, I
suppose I must do as you suggest. I don't like the look of things,
however. It's invariably the neglected trifle that wrecks a
government."

The mysterious disappearance of John Dene was made the subject of
special consideration at a meeting of the War Cabinet. It was urged
that the curious nature of the circumstances exonerated the Prime
Minister and the First Lord of the Admiralty from the personal pledge
they had given to John Dene, and that it was a matter of vital national
importance that the _Destroyer_ should be put into commission with the
least possible delay.

Mr. Llewellyn John looked interrogatingly across at Sir Lyster Grayne,
who shook his head decisively.

"We have given a personal pledge," he said, "under no circumstances
whatever to communicate or endeavour to communicate other than by
wireless with the island of Auchinlech for the period of four months
from the date of our undertaking. The words 'under no circumstances
whatever' admit of only one interpretation."

"But," protested Sir Roger Flynn, the Home Secretary, "Mr. Dene could
not have foreseen his own disappearance. Circumstances surely alter
the aspect of the case," he urged.

"If you, Flynn, were to promise under no circumstances to move from
this room, then fire or flood would not justify you in breaking that
promise," said Sir Lyster with decision. He was notorious for his
punctiliousness in matters of personal honour. "What was possible to
the Roman sentry is imperative with responsible Ministers," he added.

Mr. Llewellyn John nodded, and made a mental note of the phrase.

"Besides," continued Sir Lyster, "Mr. Dene was particularly emphatic on
this point. I recall his saying to the Prime Minister, 'When I say
under no circumstances, I mean under no circumstances,' and he went on
to expound his interpretation of the phrase."

"But," persisted Sir Roger, "if the majority of the War Cabinet take
the opposite view, then you and the Prime Minister would be absolved
from your promise."

"Nothing can absolve a man from his personal pledge," was Sir Lyster's
calm retort. "He can be outvoted politically; but he has always his
alternative, resignation."

Mr. Llewellyn John looked up quickly. "I think," he said,