But the thought came to me to be still and listen.

And still I remained until he began again.
"If I told the men what the true position is they would grow desperate," he said.

"They would believe the case hopeless." "They almost believe that now!" said I.
"Have the Turk and Tugendheim been kept apart ?" said he.
"Aye," I answered.

"They have not had ten words together." "Good," said he.

"Neither Turk nor Tugendheim knows the whole truth, but if they get together they might concoct a very plausible, misleading tale." "They would better have been bound and gagged," said I.
"No," he answered.