A ROGUE BY COMPULSION

An Affair of the Secret Service

By VICTOR BRIDGES

With Frontispiece By JOHN H. CASSEL

1915

[Illustration: "A CURTAIN AT THE END OF THE ROOM WAS DRAWN SLOWLYASIDE, AND THERE, STANDING IN THE GAP, I SAW THE SLIM FIGURE OF AGIRL. "

Chapter X. 

Drawn by John H. Cassel. ]

TO

THAT BEST OF FRIENDS

HUGHES MASSIE

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I. A BOLT FOR FREEDOM

 II. A BICYCLE AND SOME OVERALLS

 III. A DUBIOUS REFUGE

 IV. ECHOES OF A FAMOUS CASE

 V. AN OFFER WITHOUT AN ALTERNATIVE

 VI. THE FACE OF A STRANGER

 VII. A KISS AND A CONFESSION

 VIII. RT. HON. SIR GEORGE FRINTON, P. C. 

 IX. THE MAN WITH THE SCAR

 X. MADEMOISELLE VIVIEN, PALMIST

 XI. BRIDGING THREE YEARS OF SEPARATION

 XII. A SCRIBBLED WARNING

 XIII. REGARDING MR. BRUCE LATIMER

 XIV. A SUMMONS FROM DR. McMURTRIE

 XV. A HUMAN "CATCH"

 XVI. CONFRONTING THE INTRUDER

 XVII. THE WORKSHOP ON THE MARSHES

XVIII. A NEW CLUE TO AN OLD CRIME

 XIX. LAUNCHING A NEW INVENTION

 XX. APPROACHING A SOLUTION

 XXI. SONIA'S SUDDEN VISIT

 XXII. THE POLICE TAKE ACTION

XXIII. IN THE NICK OF TIME

 XXIV. EXONERATED

 XXV. A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY

CHAPTER I

A BOLT FOR FREEDOM

Most of the really important things in life--such as love anddeath--happen unexpectedly. I know that my escape from Dartmoor did. 

We had just left the quarries--eighteen of us, all dressed in thatdepressing costume which King George provides for his less elusivesubjects--and we were shambling sullenly back along the gloomy roadwhich leads through the plantation to the prison. The time was aboutfour o'clock on a dull March afternoon. 

In the roadway, on either side of us, tramped an armed warder, hiscarbine in his hand, his eyes travelling with dull suspicion up anddown the gang. Fifteen yards away, parallel with our route, the sombrefigure of one of the civil guards kept pace with us through the trees. We were a cheery party!

Suddenly, without any warning, one of the warders turned faint. Hedropped his carbine, and putting his hand to his head, stumbledheavily against the low wall that separated us from the wood. Theclatter of his weapon, falling in the road, naturally brought alleyes round in that direction, and seeing what had happened the wholeeighteen of us instinctively halted. 

The gruff voice of the other warder broke out at once, above theshuffling of feet:

"What are you stopping for? Get on there in front. "

From the corner of my eye I caught sight of the civil guard hurryingtowards the prostrate figure by the wall; and then, just as thewhole gang lurched forward again, the thing happened with beautifulabruptness. 

A broad, squat figure shot out suddenly from the head of the column, and, literally hurling itself over the wall, landed with a crashamongst the thick undergrowth. There was a second shout from thewarder, followed almost instantly by a hoarse command to halt, as thecivil guard jerked his carbine to his shoulder. 

The fugitive paid about as much attention to the order as a tigerwould to a dog whistle. He was off again in an instant, bent almostdouble, and bursting through the tangled bushes with amazingswiftness. 

Bang!

The charge of buckshot whistled after him, spattering viciouslythrough the twigs, and several of the bolder spirits in the gang atonce raised a half-hearted cry of "Murder!"

"Stop that!" bawled the warder angrily, and to enforce his words hequickened his steps so as to bring him in touch with the offenders. 

As he did so, I suddenly perceived with extraordinary clearness that Ishould never again get quite such a good chance to escape. The othermen were momentarily between me and the warder, while the civil guard, his carbine empty, was plunging through the trees in pursuit of hiswounded quarry. 

It was no time for hesitation, and in any case hesitation is not oneof my besetting sins. I recollect taking one long, deep breath: thenthe next thing I remember is catching my toe on the top of thewall and coming the most unholy purler in the very centre of anexceptionally well armoured blackberry bush. 

This blunder probably saved my life: it certainly accounted for myescape. The warder who evidently had more nerve than I gave him creditfor, must have fired at me from where he was, right between the headsof the other convicts. It was only my abrupt disappearance from thetop of the wall that saved me from being filled up with lead. Asit was, the charge whistled over me just as I fell, and a devilishunpleasant noise it made too. 

I didn't wait for him to reload. I was out of that bush and off up thehill in rather less time than it takes to read these words. Where Iwas going I scarcely thought; my one idea was to put as big a distanceas possible between myself and the carbine before its owner could ramhome a second cartridge. 

As I ran, twisting in and out between the trees, and keeping my headas low as possible, I could hear behind me a hoarse uproar from myfellow-convicts, who by this time were evidently getting out of hand. No sound could have pleased me better. The more boisterous the goodfellows became the less chance would the remaining warder have ofworrying about me. As for the civil guard--well, it seemed probablethat his time was already pretty fully engaged. 

My chief danger lay in the chance that there might be other warders inthe immediate neighbourhood. If so, they would doubtless have heardthe firing and have come running up at the first alarm. I looked backover my shoulder as I reached the top of the plantation, which wasabout a hundred yards from the road, but so far as I could see therewas no one as yet on my track. 

My one chance lay in reaching the main wood that borders the Tavistockroad before the mounted guard could come up. Between this and theplantation stretched a long bare slope of hillside, perhaps twohundred yards across, with scarcely enough cover on it to hide arabbit. It was not exactly an inviting prospect, but still the placehad to be crossed, and there was nothing to be gained by looking atit. So setting my teeth I jumped out from under the shelter of thetrees, and started off as fast as I could pelt for the opposite side. 

I had got about half-way over when there came a sudden shout away tothe right. Turning my head as I ran, I saw through the thin mist afigure in knickerbockers and a Norfolk jacket vaulting over the lowgate that separated the moor from the road. 

I suppose he was a tourist, for he had a small knapsack fastened tohis back and he was carrying a stick in his hand. 

"Tally-ho!" he yelled, brandishing the latter, and then withouthesitation he came charging across the open with the obvious intentionof cutting me off from the wood. 

For the first time in three years I laughed. It was not a prettylaugh, and if my new friend had heard it, his ardour in the chasemight perhaps have been a trifle cooled. As it was he came on withundiminished zest, apparently quite confident in his ability to tackleme single-handed. 

We met about ten yards this side of the nearest trees. 

He rushed in on me with another "whoop, " and I saw then that he was abig, powerful, red-faced fellow of a rather coarse sporting type--thekind of brute I've always had a peculiar dislike for. 

"Down you go!" he shouted, and suiting the action to the word, heswung back his stick and lashed out savagely at my head. 

I didn't go down. Instead of that I stepped swiftly in, and strikingup his arm with my left hand, I let him have my right bang on thepoint of the chin. Worlds of concentrated bitterness were behind it, and he went over backwards as if he had been struck by a coal-hammer. 

It did me a lot of good, that punch. It seemed to restore myself-respect in a way that nothing else could have done. You must havebeen a convict yourself, shouted at and ordered about like a dog forthree weary years, to appreciate the full pleasure of being able oncemore to punch a man in the jaw. 

At the moment, however, I had no time to analyze my feelings. Almostbefore the red-faced gentleman's shoulders had struck the ground I hadreached the railing which bounded the wood, and putting one hand onthe top bar had vaulted over into its inviting gloom. 

Then, just for an instant, I stopped, and, like Lot's wife, cast onehasty glance behind me. Except for the motionless form of my lateadversary, who appeared to be studying the sky, the stretch of moorthat I had just crossed was still comfortingly empty. So far nopursuing warder had even emerged from the plantation. With a sigh ofrelief I turned round again and plunged forward into the thickest partof the tangled brake ahead. 

It would have been difficult to find a better temporary hiding-placethan the one I had reached. Thick with trees and undergrowth, whichsprouted up from between enormous fissures and piles of granite rock, it stretched away for the best part of a mile and a half parallel withthe main road. I knew that even in daylight the warders would find itno easy matter to track me down: at this time in the afternoon, withdusk coming rapidly on, the task would be an almost impossible one. 

Besides, it was starting to rain. All the afternoon a thick cloud hadbeen hanging over North Hessary, and now, as scratched and panting Iforced my way on into the ever-increasing gloom, a fine drizzle beganto descend through the trees. I knew what that meant. In half an houreverything would probably be blotted out in a wet grey mist, and, except for posting guards all round the wood, my pursuers would becompelled to abandon the search until next morning. It was the firsttime that I had ever felt an affection for the Dartmoor climate. 

Guessing rather than judging my way, I stumbled steadily forward untilI reached what I imagined must be about the centre of the wood. Bythis time I was wet through to the skin. The thin parti-coloured"slop" that I was wearing was quite useless for keeping out the rain, a remark that applied with almost equal force to my prison-madebreeches and gaiters. Apart from the discomfort, however, I was notmuch disturbed. I have never been an easy victim to chills, and threeyears in Princetown had done nothing to soften a naturally toughconstitution. 

Still there was no sense in getting more soaked than was necessary, soI began to hunt around for some sort of temporary shelter. I found itat last in the shape of a huge block of granite, half hidden by thebrambles and stunted trees which had grown up round it. Parting theundergrowth and crawling carefully in, I discovered at the base a kindof hollow crevice just long enough to lie down in at full length. 

I can't say it was exactly comfortable, but penal servitude has atleast the merit of saving one from being over-luxurious. Besides, Iwas much too interested in watching the steady thickening of the mistoutside to worry myself about trifles. With a swiftness which wouldhave been incredible to any one who didn't know the Moor, the dampclammy vapour was settling down, blotting out everything in its greyhaze. Except for the dripping brambles immediately outside I couldsoon see absolutely nothing; beyond that it was like staring into ablanket. 

I lay there quite motionless, listening very intently for any sound ofmy pursuers. Only the persistent drip, drip of the rain, however, andthe occasional rustle of a bird, broke the silence. If there were anywarders about they were evidently still some way from my hiding-place, but the odds were that they had postponed searching the wood until thefog lifted. 

For the first time since my leap from the wall I found myself withsufficient leisure to review the situation. It struck me that only avery hardened optimist could describe it as hopeful. I had made mybolt almost instinctively, without stopping to think what chances Ihad of getting away. That these were meagre in the extreme was nowbecoming painfully clear to me. Even if I managed to slip out ofmy present hiding-place into the still larger woods of the WalkhamValley, the odds were all in favour of my ultimate capture. No escapedprisoner had ever yet succeeded in retaining his liberty for more thana few days, and where so many gentlemen of experience had triedand failed it seemed distressingly unlikely that I should be morefortunate. 

I began to wonder what had happened to Cairns, the man whose dash fromthe ranks had been responsible for my own effort. I knew him to be oneof the most resourceful blackguards in the prison, and, provided thecivil guard's first shot had failed to stop him, it was quite likelythat he too had evaded capture. I hoped so with all my heart: it woulddistract quite a lot of attention from my own humble affairs. 

If he was still at liberty, I couldn't help feeling enviously how muchbetter his chances of escape were than mine. In order to get away fromthe Moor it was plainly necessary to possess oneself of both food andclothes, and I could think of no other way of doing so except stealingthem from some lonely farm. At anything of this sort I was likely toprove a sorry bungler compared with such an artist as Cairns. He wasone of the most accomplished cracksmen in England, and feats whichseemed impossible to me would probably be the merest child's play tohim. 

Still it was no good worrying over what couldn't be helped. My firstjob was to get safely into the Walkham woods; after that it would bequite time enough to think about turning burglar. 

I sat up and looked out into the mist. Things were as bad as ever, andquite suddenly it struck me with considerable force that by lying lowin this fashion I was making a most unholy idiot of myself. Here I wasgrowing cold and stiff, and wasting what was probably the best chanceI should ever have of reaching Walkhampton. In fact I was playingright into the hands of the warders. 

With an impatient exclamation I jumped to my feet. The only questionwas, could I find my way out of the wood, and if I did, how on earthwas I to strike the right line over North Hessary? It was quite on thecards I might wander back into Princetown under the happy impressionthat I was going in exactly the opposite direction. 

For a moment I hesitated; then I made up my mind to risk it. After allthe fog was as bad for the warders as it was for me, and even if Ifailed to reach the Walkham Valley I should probably find some otherequally good shelter before it lifted. In either case I should havethe big advantage of having changed my hiding-place. 

Buttoning up my slop, I advanced carefully through the drippingbrambles. One could see rather less than nothing, but so far as Icould remember the main Tavistock road was on my right-hand side. This would leave North Hessary away to the left; so turning in thatdirection I set my teeth and took my first step forward into thedarkness. 

I don't suppose you have ever tried walking through a wood in a fog, but you can take my word for it that a less enjoyable form of exercisedoesn't exist. I have often wondered since how on earth I managed toescape a sprained ankle or a broken neck, for carefully as I groped myway forward it was quite impossible to avoid all the numerous crevicesand overhanging boughs which beset my path. 

I must have blundered into about fourteen holes and knocked my headagainst at least an equal number of branches, before the trees at lastbegan to thin and the darkness lighten sufficiently to let me seewhere I was placing my feet. I knew that by this time I must begetting precious near the boundary of the wood, outside which thewarders were now doubtless posted at frequent intervals. So I stoppedwhere I was and sat down quietly on a rock for a few minutes torecover my breath, for I had been pretty badly shaken and winded by mynumerous tumbles. 

As soon as I felt better I got up again, and taking very particularcare where I was treading, advanced on tiptoe with a delicacy thatAgag might have envied. I had taken about a dozen steps when all of asudden the railings loomed up in front of me through the mist. 

I put my hand on the top bar, and then paused for a moment listeningbreathlessly for any sound of danger. Except for the faint patterof the rain, however, everything was as silent as the dead. Verycarefully I raised myself on the bottom rail, lifted my legs over, oneafter the other, and then dropped lightly down on to the grass beyond. 

As I did so a man rose up suddenly from the ground like a blackshadow, and hurling himself on me before I could move, clutched meround the waist. 

"Got yer!" he roared. Then at the top of his voice--"Here he is! Help!Help!"

CHAPTER II

A BICYCLE AND SOME OVERALLS

I was taken so utterly by surprise that nothing except sheer strengthsaved me from going over. As it was I staggered back a couple ofpaces, fetching up against the railings with a bang that nearlyknocked the breath out of me. By a stroke of luck I must have crushedmy opponent's hand against one of the bars, for with a cry of pain hemomentarily slackened his grip. 

That was all I wanted. Wrenching my left arm free, I brought up myelbow under his chin with a wicked jolt; and then, before he couldrecover, I smashed home a short right-arm punch that must have landedsomewhere in the neighbourhood of his third waistcoat button. Anyhowit did the business all right. With a quaint noise, like the gurgle ofa half-empty bath, he promptly released me from his embrace, and sankdown on to the grass almost as swiftly and silently as he had arisen. 

I doubt if a more perfectly timed blow has ever been delivered, butunfortunately I had no chance of studying its effects. Through the fogI could hear the sound of footsteps--quick heavy footsteps hurryingtowards me from either direction. For one second I thought ofscrambling back over the railings and taking to the wood again. Thensuddenly a kind of mischievous exhilaration at the danger gripped holdof me, and jumping over the prostrate figure on the ground I boltedforwards into the mist. The warders, who must have been quite close, evidently heard me, for from both sides came hoarse shouts of "Therehe goes!" "Look out there!" and other well-meant pieces of advice. 

It was a funny sort of sensation dodging through the fog, feeling thatat any moment one might blunder up against the muzzle of a loadedcarbine. The only guide I had as to my direction was the slope of theground. I knew that as long as I kept on going uphill I was more orless on the right track, for the big granite-strewn bulk of NorthHessary lay right in front of me, and I had to cross it to get to theWalkham Valley. 

On I went, the ground rising higher and higher, until at last thewet slippery grass began to give way to a broken waste of rocks andheather. I had reached the top, and although I could see nothing onaccount of the mist, I knew that right below me lay the woods, withonly about a mile of steeply sloping hillside separating me from theiragreeable privacy. 

Despite the cold and the wet and the fact that I was getting devilishhungry, my spirits somehow began to rise. Good luck always acts on meas a sort of tonic, and so far I had certainly been amazingly lucky. Ifelt that if only the rain would clear up now and give me a chance ofgetting dry, Fate would have treated me as handsomely as an escapedmurderer had any right to expect. 

Making my way carefully across the plateau, for the ground was stiffwith small holes and gullies and I had no wish to sprain my ankle, Ibegan the descent of the opposite side. The mist here was a good dealthinner, but night was coming on so rapidly that as far as seeingwhere I was going was concerned I was very little better off than Ihad been on the top of the hill. 

Below me, away to the right, a blurred glimmer of light just madeitself visible. This I took to be Merivale village, on the Tavistockroad; and not being anxious to trespass upon its simple hospitality, Isheered off slightly in the opposite direction. At last, after abouttwenty minutes' scrambling, I began to hear a faint trickle of runningwater, and a few more steps brought me to the bank of the Walkham. 

I stood there for a little while in the darkness, feeling a kind oftired elation at my achievement. My chances of escape might still bepretty thin, but I had at least reached a temporary shelter. For fivemiles away to my left stretched the pleasantly fertile valley, anduntil I chose to come out of it all the warders on Dartmoor might huntthemselves black in the face without finding me. 

I can't say exactly how much farther I tramped that evening. When oneis stumbling along at night through an exceedingly ill-kept wood in astate of hunger, dampness, and exhaustion, one's judgment of distanceis apt to lose some of its finer accuracy. I imagine, however, that Imust have covered at least three more miles before my desire to liedown and sleep became too poignant to be any longer resisted. 

I hunted about in the darkness until I discovered a small patch offairly dry grass which had been more or less protected from the rainby an overhanging rock. I might perhaps have done better, but I wastoo tired to bother. I just dropped peacefully down where I stood, andin spite of my bruises and my soaked clothes I don't think I had beentwo minutes on the ground before I was fast asleep. 

 * * * * *

Tommy Morrison always used to say that only unintelligent peoplewoke up feeling really well. If he was right I must have been in asingularly brilliant mood when I again opened my eyes. 

It was still fairly dark, with the raw, sour darkness of an earlyMarch morning, and all round me the invisible drip of the trees was aspersistent as ever. Very slowly and shakily I scrambled to my feet. Myhead ached savagely, I was chilled to the core, and every part ofmy body felt as if it had been trampled on by a powerful and ratherill-tempered mule. 

I was hungry too--Lord, how hungry I was! Breakfast in the prison isnot exactly an appetizing meal, but at that moment the memory of itsthin gruel and greasy cocoa and bread seemed to me beautiful beyondwords. 

I looked round rather forlornly. As an unpromising field for foragingin, a Dartmoor wood on a dark March morning takes a lot of beating. It is true that there was plenty of water--the whole ground and airreeked with it--but water, even in unlimited quantities, is a poorbasis for prolonged exertion. 

There was nothing else to be got, however, so I had to make the bestof it. I lay down full length beside a small spring which gurgledalong the ground at my feet, and with the aid of my hands lapped upabout a pint and a half. When I had finished, apart from the ache inmy limbs I felt distinctly better. 

The question was what to do next. Hungry or not, it would be madnessto leave the shelter of the woods until evening, for not only wouldthe warders be all over the place, but by this time everyone who livedin the neighbourhood would have been warned of my escape. My bestchance seemed to lie in stopping where I was as long as daylightlasted, and then staking everything on a successful burglary. 

It was not a cheerful prospect, and before the morning was much olderit seemed less cheerful still. If you can imagine what it feelslike to spend hour after hour crouching in the heart of a wood in apitiless drizzle of rain, you will be able to get some idea of what Iwent through. If I had only had a pipe and some baccy, things wouldhave been more tolerable; as it was there was nothing to do but to sitand shiver and grind my teeth and think about George. 

I thought quite a lot about George. I seemed to see his face as heread the news of my escape, and I could picture the feverish way inwhich he would turn to each edition of the paper to find out whether Ihad been recaptured. Then I began to imagine our meeting, and George'sexpression when he realized who it was. The idea was so pleasing thatit almost made me forget my present misery. 

It must have been about midday when I decided on a move. In a way Isuppose it was a rash thing to do, but I had got so cursedly crampedand cold again that I felt if I didn't take some exercise I shouldnever last out the day. Even as it was, my legs had lost practicallyall feeling, and for the first few steps I took I was staggering aboutlike a drunkard. 

Keeping to the thickest part of the wood, I made my way slowlyforward; my idea being to reach the top of the valley and then lie lowagain until nightfall. My progress was not exactly rapid, for aftercreeping a yard or two at a time I would crouch down and listencarefully for any sounds of danger. I had covered perhaps a mile inthis spasmodic fashion when a gradual improvement in the light aheadtold me that I was approaching open ground. A few steps farther, andthrough a gap in the trees a red roof suddenly came into view, with acouple of chimney-pots smoking away cheerfully in the rain. 

It gave me a bit of a start, for I had not expected to run intocivilization quite so soon as this. I stopped where I was and dida little bit of rapid thinking. Where there's a house there mustnecessarily be some way of getting at it, and the only way I couldthink of in this case was a private drive up the hill into the mainDevonport road. If there was such a drive the house was no doubt aprivate residence and a fairly large one at that. 

With infinite precaution I began to creep forward again. Between thetrunks of the trees I could catch glimpses of a stout wood palingabout six feet high which apparently ran the whole length of thegrounds, separating them from the wood. On the other side of thisfence I could hear, as I drew nearer, a kind of splashing noise, andevery now and then the sound of somebody moving about and whistling. 

The last few yards consisted of a strip of open grass marked by deepcart-ruts. Across this I crawled on my hands and knees, and gettingright up against the fence began very carefully to search around fora peep-hole. At last I found a tiny gap between two of the boards. Itwas the merest chink, but by gluing my eye to it I was just able tosee through. 

I was looking into a square gravel-covered yard, in the centre ofwhich a man in blue overalls was cleaning the mud off a smallmotor car. He was evidently the owner, for he was a prosperous, genial-looking person of the retired Major type, and he was lighteninghis somewhat damp task by puffing away steadily at a pipe. I watchedhim with a kind of bitter jealousy. I had no idea who he was, butfor the moment I hated him fiercely. Why should he be able to potteraround in that comfortable self-satisfied fashion, while I, NeilLyndon, starved, soaked, and hunted like a wild beast, was crouchingdesperately outside his palings?

It was a natural enough emotion, but I was in too critical a positionto waste time in asking myself questions. I realized that if burglaryhad to be done, here was the right spot. By going farther I shouldonly be running myself into unnecessary risk, and probably withoutfinding a house any more suitable to my purpose. 

I squinted sideways through the hole, trying to master the geographyof the place. On the left was a high bank of laurels, and just at thecorner I could see the curve of the drive, turning away up the hill. On the other side of the yard was a small garage, built against thewall, while directly facing me was the back of the house. 

I was just digesting these details, when a sudden sigh from thegentleman in the yard attracted my attention. He had apparently hadenough of cleaning the car, for laying down the cloth he had beenusing, he stepped back and began to contemplate his handiwork. 

It was not much to boast about, but it seemed to be good enough forhim. At all events he came forward again, and taking off the brake, proceeded very slowly to push the car back towards the garage. Atthe entrance he stopped for a moment, and going inside brought out abicycle which he leaned against the wall. Then he laboriously shovedthe car into its appointed place, put back the bicycle, and standingin the doorway started to take off his overalls. 

I need hardly say I watched him with absorbed interest. The sight ofthe bicycle had sent a little thrill of excitement tingling down myback, for it opened up possibilities in the way of escape that fiveminutes before had seemed wildly out of reach. If I could only stealthe machine and the overalls as well, I should at least stand a goodchance of getting clear away from the Moor before I was starved orcaptured. In addition to that I should be richer by a costume whichwould completely cover up the tasteful but rather pronounced patternof my clothes. 

My heart beat faster with excitement as with my eye pressed tight tothe peep-hole I followed every movement of my unconscious quarry. Whistling cheerfully to himself, he stripped off the dark blue cottontrousers and oil-stained jacket that he was wearing and hung them on anail just inside the door. Then he gave a last look round, presumablyto satisfy himself that everything was in order, and shutting the doorwith a bang, turned the key in the lock. 

I naturally thought he was going to stuff that desirable object intohis pocket, but as it happened he did nothing of the kind. With athrob of half-incredulous delight I saw that he was standing ontiptoe, inserting it into some small hiding-place just under the edgeof the iron roof. 

I didn't wait for further information. At any moment someone mighthave come blundering round the corner of the paling, and I felt that Ihad tempted Fate quite enough already. So, abandoning my peep-hole, I turned round, and with infinite care crawled back across the grassinto the shelter of the trees. 

Once there, however, I rolled over on the ground and metaphoricallyhugged myself. The situation may not appear to have warranted suchexcessive rapture, but when a man is practically hopeless even thewildest of possible chances comes to him like music and sunshine. Forgetting my hunger and my wet clothes in my excitement, I lay therethinking out my plan of action. I could do nothing, of course, untilit was dark: in fact it would be really better to wait till thehousehold had gone to bed, for several of the back windows lookedright out on the garage. Then, provided I could climb the paling andget out the bicycle without being spotted, I had only to push it upthe drive to find myself on the Devonport road. 

With this comforting reflection I settled myself down to wait. It wasat least four hours from darkness, with another four to be added tothat before I dared make a move. Looking back now, I sometimes wonderhow I managed to stick it out. Long before dusk my legs and armshad begun to ache again with a dull throbbing sort of pain that gotsteadily worse, while the chill of my wet clothes seemed to eat intomy bones. Once or twice I got up and crawled a few yards backwards andforwards, but the little additional warmth this performance gave medid not last long. I dared not indulge in any more violent exercisefor fear that there might be warders about in the wood. 

What really saved me, I think, was the rain stopping. It came to anend quite suddenly, in the usual Dartmoor fashion, and within half anhour most of the mist had cleared off too. I knew enough of the localweather signs to be pretty certain that we were in for a fine night;and sure enough, half an hour after the sun had set a large moon wasshining down from a practically cloudless sky. 

From where I was lying I could, by raising my head, just see thetwo top windows of the house. About ten, as near as I could judge, somebody lit a candle in one of these rooms, and then coming to thewindow drew down the blind. I waited patiently till I saw this dullglimmer of light disappear, then, with a not unpleasant throb ofexcitement, I crawled out from my hiding-place and recrossed the grassto my former point of observation. Very gingerly I lifted myself upand peered over the top of the paling. The yard was in shadow, and sofar as I could see the back door and all the various outbuildings werelocked up for the night. 

Under ordinary circumstances I could have cleared that blessed palingin about thirty seconds, but in my present state of exhaustion itproved to be no easy matter. However, with a mighty effort I at lastsucceeded in getting my right elbow on the top, and from that point Imanaged to scramble up and hoist myself over. Then, keeping a watchfuleye on the windows, I advanced towards the garage. 

I found the key first shot. It was resting on a little ledge under theroof, and a thrill of joy went through me as my fingers closed overit. I pushed it into the keyhole, and very carefully I turned thelock. 

It was quite dark inside, but I could just see the outline of theoveralls hanging on the nail. I unhooked them, and placing the coat onthe ground I drew on the oily trousers over my convict breechesand stockings. I could tell by the feel that they covered me upcompletely. 

As I picked up the coat something rattled in one of the side pockets. I put my hand in and pulled out a box of wax matches, which despitethe dampness of the garment still seemed dry enough to strike. For amoment I hesitated, wondering whether I dared to light one. It wasdangerous, especially if there happened to be a window looking outtowards the house, but on the other hand I badly wanted a littleillumination to see what I was doing. 

I decided to risk it, and closing the door, struck one against thewall. It flared up, and shading it with my hand I cast a hasty glanceround the garage. The bicycle was leaning against a shelf just beyondme, and on a nail above it I saw an old disreputable-looking cap. Ipounced on it joyfully, for it was the one thing I needed to completemy disguise. Then, wheeling the bicycle past the car, I blew out thematch and reopened the door. 

Stepping as noiselessly as possible on the gravel, I pushed the bikeacross the yard. There was a large patch of moonlight between me andthe end of the drive, and I went through it with a horrible feelingin the small of my back that at any moment someone might fling upa window and bawl out, "Stop thief!" Nothing of the kind occurred, however, and with a vast sense of thankfulness I gained the shelter ofthe laurels. 

The only thing that worried me was the thought that there might be alodge at the top. If so I was by no means out of the wood. Even themost guileless of lodge-keepers would be bound to think it rathercurious that I should be creeping out at this time of nightaccompanied by his master's bicycle. 

Keeping one hand against the bushes to guide me, and pushing themachine with the other, I groped my way slowly up the winding path. AsI came cautiously round the last corner I saw with a sigh of reliefthat my fears were groundless. A few yards ahead of me in themoonlight was a plain white gate, and beyond that the road. 

I opened the gate with deliberate care, and closed it in similarfashion behind me. Then for a moment I stopped. I was badly out ofbreath, partly from weakness and partly from excitement, so laying themachine against the bank I leaned back beside it. 

Everything was quite still. On each side of me the broad, white, moonlit roadway stretched away into the night, flanked by a row oftelegraph poles which stood out like gaunt sentries. It was curiousto think that they had probably put in a busy day's work, carryingmessages about me. 

There was a lamp on the front bracket, and as soon as I felt a littlebetter I took out my matches and proceeded to light it. Then, wheelingmy bike out into the roadway, I turned in the direction of Devonportand mounted. I felt a bit shaky at first, for, apart from the factthat I was worn out and pretty near starving, I had not been on amachine for over three years. However, after wobbling wildly from sideto side, I managed to get the thing going, and pedalled off down thecentre of the road as steadily as my half-numbed senses would allow. 

For perhaps a quarter of a mile the ground kept fairly level, then, breasting a slight rise, I found myself at the top of a hill. I shovedon the brake and went slowly round the first corner, where I got anunexpected surprise. From this point the road ran straight away downthrough a small village, across a bridge over the river, and up ashort steep slope on the farther side. 

I took in the situation at a glance, and, releasing my brake, I letthe old bike have her head. It certainly wouldn't suit me to have todismount in the village and walk up the opposite slope, and I was muchtoo exhausted to do anything else unless I could take it in a rush. 

Down I went, the machine flying noiselessly along and gathering paceevery yard. I had nearly reached the bottom and was just getting readyto pedal, when all of a sudden, I caught sight of something thatalmost paralyzed me. Right ahead, in the centre of the village square, stood a prison warder. His back was towards me and I could see themoonlight gleaming on the barrel of his carbine. 

CHAPTER III

A DUBIOUS REFUGE

I was going so fast that everything seemed to happen simultaneously. I had one blurred vision of him spinning round and yelling to me tostop: then the next moment I had flashed past him and was racingacross the bridge. 

Whether he recognized me for certain I can't say. I think not, or hewould probably have fired sooner than he did: as it was, my rush hadcarried me three quarters of the way up the opposite hill before hecould make up his mind to risk a shot. 

Bang went his carbine, and at the same instant, with a second loudreport, the tire of my back wheel abruptly collapsed. It was a goodshot if he had aimed for it, and what's more it came unpleasantlynear doing the trick. The old bike swerved violently, but with a wildwrench I just succeeded in righting her. For a second I heard himshouting and running behind me, and then, working like a maniac, Ibumped up the rest of the slope, and disappeared over the protectingdip at the top. 

Of my progress for the next mile or so I have only the mostconfused recollection. It was like one of those ghastly things thatoccasionally happen to one in a nightmare. I just remember pedallingblindly along, with the back wheel grinding and jolting beneath meand the moonlit road rising and falling ahead. It must have been moreinstinct than anything else that kept me going, for I was in the laststages of hunger and weariness, and most of the time I scarcely knewwhat I was doing. 

At last, after wobbling feebly up a long slope, I found I had reachedthe extreme edge of the Moor. Right below me the road dropped down forseveral hundred feet into a broad level expanse of fields and woods. Six or seven miles away the lights of Plymouth and Devonport threw upa yellow glare into the sky, and beyond that again I could just seethe glint of the moonlight shining on the sea. 

It was no good stopping, for I knew that in an hour or so the mountedwarders would be again on my track. So clapping on both brakes, Istarted off down the long descent, being careful not to let themachine get away with me as it had done on the previous hill. 

At the bottom, which I somehow reached in safety, I found a sign-postwith two hands, one marked Plymouth and the other Devonport. I tookthe latter road, why I can hardly say, and summoning up my almostspent energies I pedalled off shakily between its high hedges. 

How I got as far as I did remains a mystery to me to this day. I felloff twice from sheer weakness, but on each occasion I managed to dragmyself back into the saddle again, and it was not until my thirdtumble, that I decided I could go no farther. 

I was in a dark stretch of road bounded on each side by thickplantations. It was a good place to lie up in, but unfortunately therewas another and more pressing problem in front of me. Half deliriousas I was, I realized that unless I could find something to eat thatnight my career as an escaped convict was pretty near its end. 

I picked myself up, and with a great effort managed to drag thebicycle to the side of the road. Then, clutching the rail that boundedthe plantation, I began to stagger slowly forward along the slightlyraised path. I think I had a sort of vague notion that there might besomething to eat round the next corner. 

I had progressed in this fashion for perhaps forty yards, when quiteunexpectedly both the trees and the railings came to an end. Iremained swaying and half incredulous for a moment: then I began torealize that I was standing in front of an open gate looking up anexceedingly ill-kept drive. At the end of this drive was a house, andthe moonlight shining full on the front of it showed me that the wholeplace had about as forlorn and neglected an appearance as an inhabitedbuilding could very well possess. That it was inhabited there could beno doubt, for in the small glass square above the hall door I couldsee a feeble glimmer of light. 

No one could have called it an inviting-looking place, but then Iwasn't exactly waiting for invitations where a chance of food wasconcerned. I just slipped in at the gate, and keeping well in theshadow of the bushes that bounded the drive, I crept slowly andunsteadily forward until I reached a point opposite the front door. Icrouched there for a moment, peering up at the house. Except for thatflickering gas jet there was no sign of life anywhere; all the windowswere shuttered or else in complete darkness. 

At first I had a wild idea of ringing the bell and pretending to bea starving tramp. Then I remembered that my description had no doubtbeen circulated all round the neighbourhood, and that if there wasany one in the place they would probably recognize me at once as themissing convict. This choked me off, for though as a rule I have noobjection to a slight scuffle, I felt that in my present condition theaverage housemaid could knock me over with the flick of a duster. 

The only alternative scheme that suggested itself to my numbed mindwas to commit another burglary. There was a path running down the sideof the house, which apparently led round to the back, and it struckme that if I followed this I might possibly come across an unfastenedwindow. Anyhow, it was no good waiting about till I collapsed fromexhaustion, so, getting on my feet, I slunk along the laurels as faras the end of the drive, and then crept across in the shadow of anoverhanging tree. 

I made my way slowly down the path, keeping one hand against the wall, and came out into a small square yard, paved with cobbles, where Ifound myself looking up at the back of the house. There was a doorin the middle with two windows on either side of it, and above theseseveral other rooms--all apparently in complete darkness. 

I was beginning to feel horribly like fainting, but by sheerwill-power I managed to pull myself together. Going up to the nearestwindow I peered through the pane. I could see the dim outline of atable with some plates on it just inside, and putting my hand againstthe bottom sash I gave it a gentle push. It yielded instantly, slidingup several inches with a wheezy rattle that brought my heart into mymouth. 

For a moment or two I waited, listening intently for any sound ofmovement within the house. Then, as nothing happened, I carefullyraised the sash a little higher, and poked my head in through theempty window-frame. 

It was the kitchen all right: there could be no doubt about that. Astrong smell of stale cooking pervaded the warm darkness, and thatmusty odour brought tears of joy into my eyes. I took one longluxurious sniff, and then with a last effort I hoisted myself up andscrambled in over the low sill. 

As my feet touched the floor there was a sharp click. A blinding flashof light shot out from the darkness, striking me full in the face, andat the same instant a voice remarked quietly but firmly: "Put up yourhands. "

I put them up. 

There was a short pause: then from the other end of the room a man ina dressing-gown advanced slowly to the table in the centre. He washolding a small electric torch in one hand and a revolver in theother. He laid down the former with the light still pointing straightat my face. 

"If you attempt to move, " he remarked pleasantly, "I shall blow yourbrains out. "

With this he walked to the side of the room, struck a match againstthe wall, and reaching up turned on the gas. 

I was much too dazed to do anything, even if I had had the chance. Ijust stood there with my hands up, rocking slightly from side to side, and wondering how long it would be before I tumbled over. 

My captor remained for a moment under the light, peering at me insilence. He seemed to be a man of about sixty--a thin, frail manwith white hair and a sharp, deeply lined face. He wore gold-rimmedpince-nez, behind which a pair of hard grey eyes gleamed at me inmalicious amusement. 

At last he took a step forward, still holding the revolver in hishand. 

"A stranger!" he observed. "Dear me--what a disappointment! I hope Mr. Latimer is not ill?"

I had no idea what he was talking about, but his voice sounded veryfar away. 

"If you keep me standing like this much longer, " I managed to jerkout, "I shall most certainly faint. "

I saw him raise his eyebrows in a sort of half-mocking smile. 

"Indeed, " he said, "I thought--"

What he thought I never heard, for the whole room suddenly went dim, and with a quick lurch the floor seemed to get up and spin roundbeneath my feet. I suppose I must have pitched forward, for the lastthing I remember is clutching wildly but vainly at the corner of thekitchen table. 

 * * * * *

My first sensation on coming round was a burning feeling in my lipsand throat. Then I suddenly realized that my mouth was full of brandy, and with a surprised gulp I swallowed it down and opened my eyes. 

I was lying back in a low chair with a cushion under my head. Standingin front of me was the gentleman in the dressing-gown, only instead ofa revolver he now held an empty wine-glass in his hand. When he sawthat I was recovering he stepped back and placed it on the table. There was a short pause. 

"Well, Mr. Lyndon, " he said slowly, "and how are you feeling now?"

A hasty glance down showed me that the jacket of my overalls had beenunbuttoned at the neck, exposing the soaked and mud-stained prisonclothes beneath. I saw that the game was up, but for the moment I wastoo exhausted to care. 

My captor leaned against the end of the table watching me closely. 

"Are you feeling any better?" he repeated. 

I made a feeble attempt to raise myself in the chair. "I don't know, "I said weakly; "I'm feeling devilish hungry. "

He stepped forward at once, his lined face breaking into somethinglike a smile. 

"Don't sit up. Lie quite still where you are, and I will get yousomething to eat. Have you had any food today?"

I shook my head. "Only rain-water, " I said. 

"You had better start with some bread and milk, then. You have beenstarving too long to eat a big meal straight away. "

Crossing the room, he pushed open a door which apparently led into thelarder, and then paused for a moment on the threshold. 

"You needn't try to escape, " he added, turning back to me. "I am notgoing to send for the police. "

"I don't care what you do, " I whispered, "as long as you hurry up withsome grub. "

Lying there in the sort of semi-stupor that comes from utterexhaustion, I listened to him moving about in the larder apparentlygetting things ready. For the moment all thoughts of danger orrecapture had ceased to disturb me. Even the unexpected fashionin which I was being treated did not strike me as particularlyinteresting or surprising: my whole being was steeped in a sense ofapproaching food. 

I saw him re-enter the room, carrying a saucepan, which he placed ona small stove alongside the fireplace. There was the scratching of amatch followed by the pop of a gas-ring, and half-closing my eyes Ilay back in serene and silent contentment. 

I was aroused by the chink of a spoon, and the splash of somethingliquid being poured out. Then I saw my host coming towards me, carrying a large steaming china bowl in his hand. 

"Here you are, " he said. "Do you think you can manage to feedyourself?"

I didn't trouble to answer. I just seized the cup and spoon, and thenext moment I was wolfing down a huge mouthful of warm bread and milkthat seemed to me the most perfect thing I had ever tasted. It wasfollowed rapidly by another and another, all equally beautiful. 

My host stood by watching me with a sort of half-amused interest. 

"I shouldn't eat it quite so fast, " he observed. "It will do you moregood if you take it slowly. "

The first few spoonfuls had already partly deadened my worst pangs, so following his advice I slackened down the pace to a somewhat morenormal level. Even then I emptied the bowl in what I think musthave been a record time, and with a deep sigh I handed it to him toreplenish. 

I was feeling better--distinctly better. The food, the rest in thechair, and the comparative warmth of the room were all doing me goodin their various ways, and for the first time I was beginning torealize clearly where I was and what had happened. 

I suppose my host noticed the change, for he looked at me in anapproving fashion as he gave me my second helping. 

"There you are, " he said in that curious dry voice of his. "Eat thatup, and then we'll have a little conversation. Meanwhile--" he pausedand looked round--"well, if you have no objection I think I will shutthat window. I daresay you have had enough fresh air for today. "

I nodded--my mouth was too full for any more elaborate reply--andcrossing the room he closed the sash and pulled down the blind. 

"That's better, " he observed, gently rubbing his hands together; "nowwe are more comfortable and more private. By the way, I don't think Ihave introduced myself yet. My name is McMurtrie--Doctor McMurtrie. "

"I am charmed to meet you, " I said, swallowing down a large chunk ofbread. 

He nodded his head, smiling. "The pleasure is a mutual one, Mr. Lyndon--quite a mutual one. "

The words were simple and smooth enough in themselves, but somehow orother the tone in which they were uttered was not altogether to mytaste. It seemed to carry with it the faint suggestion of a catpurring over a mouse. Still I was hardly in a position to be toofastidious, so I accepted his compliment, and went on calmly with mybread and milk. 

With the same rather catlike smile Dr. McMurtrie drew up a chairand sat down opposite to me. He kept his right hand in his pocket, presumably on the revolver. 

"And now, " he said, "perhaps you have sufficiently recovered to beable to tell me a little about yourself. At present my knowledge ofyour adventures is confined to the account of your escape in thismorning's _Daily Mail_. "

I slowly finished the last spoonful of my second helping, and placedthe cup beside me on the floor. It was a clumsy device to gain time, for now that the full consciousness of my surroundings had returned tome, I was beginning to think that Dr. McMurtrie's methods of receivingan escaped convict were, to say the least, a trifle unusual. Was hisapparent friendliness merely a blind, or did it hide some still deeperpurpose, of which at present I knew nothing?

He must have guessed my thoughts, for leaning back in his chair heremarked half-mockingly: "Come, Mr. Lyndon, it doesn't pay to be toosuspicious. If it will relieve your mind, I can assure you I have noimmediate intention of turning policeman, even for the magnificent sumof--how much is it--five pounds, I believe? On mere business grounds Ithink it would be underrating your market value. "

The slight but distinct change in his voice in the last remarkinvested it with a special significance. I felt a sudden convictionthat for some reason of his own Dr. McMurtrie did not intend to giveme up--at all events for the present. 

"I will tell you anything you want to know with pleasure, " I said. "Where did the _Daily Mail_ leave off?"

He laughed curtly, and thrusting the other hand into his pocket pulledout a silver cigarette-case. 

"If I remember rightly, " he said, "you had just taken advantage of thefog to commit a brutal and quite unprovoked assault upon a warder. " Heheld out the case. 

"But try one of these before you start, " he added. "They are a specialbrand from St. Petersburg, and I think you will enjoy them. Thereis nothing like a little abstinence to make one appreciate a goodtobacco. "

With a shaking hand I pressed the spring. It was three years since Ihad smoked my last cigarette--a cigarette handed me by the inspectorin that stuffy little room below the dock, where I was waiting to besentenced to death. 

If I live to be a hundred I shall never forget my sensations as Istruck the match which my host handed me and took in that firstfragrant mouthful. It was so delicious that for a moment I remainedmotionless from sheer pleasure; then lying back again in my chair witha little gasp I drew another great cloud of smoke deep down into mylungs. 

The doctor waited, watching me with a kind of cynical amusement. 

"Don't hurry yourself, Mr. Lyndon, " he observed, "pray don't hurryyourself. It is a pleasure to witness such appreciation. "

I took him at his word, and for perhaps a couple of minutes we satthere in silence while the blue wreaths of smoke slowly mountedand circled round us. Then at last, with a delightful feeling ofhalf-drugged contentment, I sat up and began my story. 

I told it him quite simply--making no attempt to conceal or exaggerateanything. I described how the idea of making a bolt had come suddenlyinto my mind, and how I had acted on it without reflection orhesitation. Step by step I went quietly through my adventures, fromthe time when the fog had rolled down to the moment when, halffainting with hunger and exhaustion, I had climbed in through hiskitchen window. 

Leaning on the arm of his chair, he listened to me in silence. As faras any movement or change of expression was concerned a statue couldscarcely have betrayed less interest, but all the time the steadygleam of his eyes never shifted from my face. 

When I had finished he remained there for several seconds in the sameattitude. Then at last he gave a short mirthless laugh. 

"It must be pleasant to be as strong as you are, " he said. "I shouldhave been dead long ago. "

I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, I don't exactly feel like going to adance, " I answered. 

He got up and walked slowly as far as the window, where he turnedround and stood staring at me thoughtfully. At last he appeared tomake up his mind. 

"You had better go to bed, " he said, "and we will talk things over inthe morning. You are not fit for anything more tonight. "

"No, I'm not, " I admitted frankly; "but before I go to bed I shouldlike to feel a little more certain where I'm going to wake up. "

There was a faint sound outside and I saw him raise his head. It wasthe distant but unmistakable hum of a motor, drawing nearer and nearerevery moment. For a few seconds we both stood there listening: thenwith a sudden shock I realized that the car had reached the house andwas turning in at the drive. 

Weak as I was I sprang from my chair, scarcely feeling the thrill ofpain that ran through me at the effort. 

"By God!" I cried fiercely, "you've sold me!"

He whipped out the revolver, pointing it full at my face. 

"Sit down, you fool, " he said. "It's not the police. "

CHAPTER IV

ECHOES OF A FAMOUS CASE

Whatever my intentions may have been--and they were pretty venomouswhen I jumped up--the revolver was really an unnecessary precaution. Directly I was on my feet I went as giddy as a kite, and it was onlyby clutching the chair that I saved myself from toppling over. I wasevidently in a worse way than I imagined. 

Lowering his weapon the doctor repeated his order. 

"Sit down, man, sit down. No one means you any harm here. "

"Who is it in the car?" I demanded, fighting hard against the accursedfeeling of faintness that was again stealing through me. 

"They are friends of mine. They have nothing to do with the police. You will see in a minute. "

I sat down, more from necessity than by choice, and as I did so Iheard the car draw up outside the back door. 

Crossing to the window the doctor threw up the sash. 

"Savaroff!" he called out. 

There came an answer in a man's voice which I was unable to catch. 

"Come in here, " went on McMurtrie. "Don't bother about the car. " Heturned back to me. "Drink this, " he added, pouring out some morebrandy into the wine-glass. I gulped it down and lay back again in mychair, tingling all through. 

He took my wrist and felt my pulse for a moment. "I know you arefeeling bad, " he said, "but we'll get your wet clothes off and put youto bed in a minute. You will be a different man in the morning. "

"That will be very convenient, " I observed faintly. 

There was a noise of footsteps outside, the handle of the door turned, and a man--a huge bear of a man in a long Astrachan coat--strodeheavily into the room. He was followed by a girl whose face was almosthidden behind a partly-turned-back motor veil. When they caught sightof me they both stopped abruptly. 

"Who's this?" demanded the man. 

Dr. McMurtrie made a graceful gesture towards me with his hand. "Allow me, " he said, "to introduce you. Monsieur and MademoiselleSavaroff--our distinguished and much-sought-after friend Mr. NeilLyndon. "

The big man gave a violent start, and with a little exclamation thegirl stepped forward, turning back her veil. I saw then that she wasremarkably handsome, in a dark, rather sullen-looking sort of way. 

"You will excuse my getting up, " I said weakly. "It doesn't seem toagree with me. "

"Mr. Lyndon, " explained the doctor, "is fatigued. I was just proposingthat he should go to bed when I heard the car. "

"How in the name of Satan did he get here?" demanded the other man, still staring at me in obvious amazement. 

"He came in through the window with the intention of borrowing alittle food. I had happened to see him in the garden, and being underthe natural impression that he was--er--well, another friend of ours, I ventured to detain him. "

Savaroff gave a short laugh. "But it's incredible, " he muttered. 

The girl was watching me curiously. "Poor man, " she exclaimed, "hemust be starving!"

"My dear Sonia, " said McMurtrie, "you reflect upon my hospitality. Mr. Lyndon has been faring sumptuously on bread and milk. "

"But he looks so wet and ill. "

"He is wet and ill, " rejoined the doctor agreeably. "That is just thereason why I am going to ask you to heat some water and light a firein the spare bedroom. We don't want to disturb Mrs. Weston at thistime of night. I suppose the bed is made up?"

Sonia nodded. "I think so. I'll go up and see anyhow. "

With a last glance at me she left the room, and Savaroff, taking offhis coat, threw it across the back of a chair. Then he came up towhere I was sitting. 

"You don't look much like your pictures, my friend, " he said, unwinding the scarf that he was wearing round his neck. 

"Under the circumstances, " I replied, "that's just as well. "

He laughed again, showing a set of strong white teeth. "Yes, yes. But the clothes and the short hair--eh? They would take a lot ofexplaining away. It was fortunate for you you chose this house--veryfortunate. You find yourself amongst friends here. "

I nodded. 

I didn't like the man--there was too great a suggestion of the bullyabout him, but for all that I preferred him to McMurtrie. 

It was the latter who interrupted. "Come, Savaroff, you take Mr. Lyndon's other arm and we'll help him upstairs. It is quite time hegot out of those wet things. "

With their joint assistance I hoisted myself out of the chair and, leaning heavily on the pair of them, hobbled across to the door. Everystep I took sent a thrill of pain through me, for I was as stiff andsore as though I had been beaten all over with a walking-stick. Thestairs were a bit of a job too, but they managed to get me up somehowor other, and I found myself in a large sparsely furnished hall lit byone ill-burning gas jet. There was a door half open on the left, andthrough the vacant space I could see the flicker of a freshly lightedfire. 

They helped me inside, where we found the girl Sonia standing beside along yellow bath-tub which she had set out on a blanket. 

"I thought Mr. Lyndon might like a hot bath, " she said. "It won't takevery long to warm up the water. "

"Like it!" I echoed gratefully; and then, finding no other words toexpress my emotions, I sank down in an easy chair which had beenpushed in front of the fire. 

I think the brandy that McMurtrie had given me must have gone to myhead, or perhaps it was merely the sudden sense of warmth and comfortcoming on top of my utter fatigue. Anyhow I know I fell gradually intoa sort of blissful trance, in which things happened to me very much asthey do in a dream. 

I have a dim recollection of being helped to pull off my soaked andfilthy clothes, and later on of lying back with indescribable felicityin a heavenly tub of hot water. 

Then I was in bed and somebody was rubbing me, rubbing me all overwith some warm pungent stuff that seemed to take away the pain in mylimbs and leave me just a tingling mass of drowsy contentment. 

After that--well, after that I suppose I fell asleep. 

 * * * * *

I base this last idea upon the fact that the next thing I remember ishearing some one say in a rather subdued voice: "Don't wake him up. Let him sleep as long as he likes--it's the best thing for him. "

Whereupon, as was only natural, I promptly opened my eyes. 

Dr. McMurtrie and the dark girl were standing by my bedside, lookingdown at me. 

I blinked at them for a moment, wondering in my half-awake state wherethe devil I had got to. Then suddenly it all came back to me. 

"Well, " said the doctor smoothly, "and how is the patient today?"

I stretched myself with some care. I was still pretty stiff, and mythroat felt as if some one had been scraping it with sand-paper, butall the same I knew that I was better--much better. 

"I don't think there's any serious damage, " I said hoarsely. "How longhave I been asleep?"

He looked at his watch. "As far as I remember, you went to sleepin your bath soon after midnight. It's now four o'clock in theafternoon. "

I started up in bed. "Four o'clock!" I exclaimed. "Good Lord! I mustget up--I--"

He laid his hand on my shoulder. "Don't be foolish, my friend, " hesaid. "You will get up when you are fit to get up. At the presentmoment you are going to have something to eat. " He turned to the girl. "What are you thinking of giving him?" he asked. 

"There are plenty of eggs, " she said, "and there's some of that fishwe had for breakfast. " She answered curtly, almost rudely, looking atme while she spoke. Her manner gave me the impression that for somereason or other she and McMurtrie were not exactly on the best ofterms. 

If that was so, he himself betrayed no sign of it. "Either will doexcellently, " he said in his usual suave way, "or perhaps ouryoung friend could manage both. I believe the Dartmoor air is moststimulating. "

"I shall be vastly grateful for anything, " I said, addressing thegirl. "Whatever is the least trouble to cook. "

She nodded and left the room without further remark--McMurtrie lookingafter her with what seemed like a faint gleam of malicious amusement. 

"I have brought you yesterday's _Daily Mail_, " he said; "I thought itwould amuse you to read the description of your escape. It is quiteentertaining; and besides that there is a masterly little summary ofyour distinguished career prior to its unfortunate interruption. " Helaid the paper on the bed. "First of all, though, " he added, "I willjust look you over. I couldn't find much the matter with you lastnight, but we may as well make certain. "

He made a short examination of my throat, and then, after feeling mypulse, tapped me vigorously all over the chest. 

"Well, " he said finally, "you have been through enough to kill twoordinary men, but except for giving you a slight cold in the head itseems to have done you good. "

I sat up in bed. "Dr. McMurtrie, " I said bluntly, "what does all thismean? Who are you, and why are you hiding me from the police?"

He looked down on me, with that curious baffling smile of his. "Anatural and healthy curiosity, Mr. Lyndon, " he said drily. "I hopeto satisfy it after you have had something to eat. Till then--" heshrugged his shoulders--"well, I think you will find the _Daily Mail_excellent company. "

He left the room, closing the door behind him, and for a moment Ilay there with an uncomfortable sense of being tangled up in someexceedingly mysterious adventure. Even such unusual people as Dr. McMurtrie and his friends do not as a rule take in and shelter escapedconvicts purely out of kindness of heart. There must be a strongmotive for them to run such a risk in my case, but what that motivecould possibly be was a matter which left me utterly puzzled. So faras I could remember I had never seen any of the three before in mylife. 

I glanced round the room. It was a big airy apartment, with uglyold-fashioned furniture, and two windows, both of which looked out inthe same direction. The pictures on the wall included an oleographportrait of the late King Edward in the costume of an Admiral, a largeengraving of Mr. Landseer's inevitable stag, and several coloured andilluminated texts. One of the latter struck me as being topical if alittle inaccurate. It ran as follows:

THE WICKEDFLEEWHEN NO MANPURSUETH

Over the mantelpiece was a mirror in a mahogany frame. I gazed at itidly for a second, and then a sudden impulse seized me to get up andsee what I looked like. I turned back the clothes and crawled out ofbed. I felt shaky when I stood up, but my legs seemed to bear me allright, and very carefully I made my way across to the fireplace. 

The first glance I took in the mirror gave me a shock that nearlyknocked me over. A cropped head and three days' growth of beard willmake an extraordinary difference in any one, but I would neverhave believed they could have transformed me into quite such anunholy-looking ruffian as the one I saw staring back at me out of theglass. If I had ever been conceited about my personal appearance, thatmoment would have cured me for good. 

Satisfied with a fairly brief inspection I returned to the bed, andarranging the pillow so as to fit the small of my back, picked up the_Daily Mail_. I happened to open it at the centre page, and the bigheavily leaded headlines caught my eyes straight away. 

ESCAPE OF NEIL LYNDONFAMOUS PRISONER BREAKS OUT OF DARTMOORSENSATIONAL CASE RECALLED

With a pleasant feeling of anticipation I settled down to read. 

_From our own Correspondent. Princetown_. 

Neil Lyndon, perhaps the most famous convict at present serving hissentence, succeeded yesterday in escaping from Princetown. At themoment of writing he is still at large. 

He formed one of a band of prisoners who were returning from thequarries late in the afternoon. As the men reached the road whichleads through the plantation to the main gate of the prison, one ofthe warders in charge was overcome by an attack of faintness. In theensuing confusion, a convict of the name of Cairns, who was walkingat the head of the gang, made a sudden bolt for freedom. He wasimmediately challenged and fired at by the Civil Guard. 

The shot took partial effect, but failed for the moment to stop therunaway, who succeeded in scrambling off into the wood. He was pursuedby the Civil Guard, and it was at that moment that Lyndon, who was inthe rear of the gang, also made a dash for liberty. 

He seems to have jumped the low wall which bounds the plantation, and although fired at in turn by another of the warders, apparentlyescaped injury. 

Running up the hill through the trees, he reached the open slope ofmoor on the farther side which divides the plantation from the mainwood. While he was crossing this he was seen from the roadway bythat well-known horse-dealer and pigeon-shot, Mr. Alfred Smith ofShepherd's Bush, who happened to be on a walking tour in the district. 

Mr. Smith, with characteristic sportsmanship, made a plucky attemptto stop him; but Lyndon, who had picked up a heavy stick in theplantation, dealt him a terrific blow on the head that temporarilystunned him. He then jumped the railings and took refuge in the wood. 

The pursuing warders came up a few minutes later, but by this time aheavy mist was beginning to settle down over the moor, renderingthe prospect of a successful search more than doubtful. The warderstherefore surrounded the wood with the idea of preventing Lyndon'sescape. 

Taking advantage of the fog, however, the latter succeeded in slippingout on the opposite side. He was heard climbing the railings byAssistant-warder Conway, who immediately gave the alarm and closedwith the fugitive. The other warders came running up, but just beforethey could reach the scene of the struggle Lyndon managed tofree himself by means of a brutal kick, and darting into the fogdisappeared from sight. 

It is thought that he has made his way over North Hessary and is lyingup in the Walkham Woods. In any case it is practically certain that hewill not be at liberty much longer. It is impossible for him to getfood except by stealing it from a cottage or farm, and directly heshows himself he is bound to be recaptured. 

Considerable excitement prevails in the district, where all theinhabitants are keenly on the alert. 

THE MARKS MURDERECHOES OF A FAMOUS CASE

The escape of Neil Lyndon recalls one of the most famous crimes ofmodern days. 

On the third of October four years ago, as most of our readers willremember, a gentleman named Mr. Seton Marks was found brutallymurdered in his luxurious flat on the Chelsea Embankment. It wasthought at first that the crime was the work of burglars, for Mr. Marks's rooms contained many art treasures of considerable value. Afurther examination, however, revealed the fact that nothing had beentampered with, and the next day the whole country was startled andamazed to learn that Neil Lyndon had been arrested on suspicion. 

At the trial it was proved beyond question that the accused was thelast person in the company of the murdered man. He had gone round toMr. Marks's flat at four o'clock in the afternoon, and had apparentlybeen admitted by the owner. Two hours later Mr. Marks's servantreturning to the flat was horrified to find his master's dead bodylying in the sitting-room. Death had been inflicted by means of aheavy blow on the back of the head, but the state of the dead man'sface showed that he had been brutally mishandled before being killed. 

The accused, while maintaining his innocence of the murder, did notdeny either his visit to the flat, or the fact that he had inflictedthe other injuries on the deceased. He declined to state the cause oftheir quarrel, but the defending counsel produced a witness in theperson of Miss Joyce Aylmer, a young girl of sixteen, who was able tothrow some light on the matter. 

Miss Aylmer, a young lady of considerable beauty, stated that forabout a year she had been working as an art student in Chelsea, andused occasionally to sit to artists for the head. On the afternoonbefore the murder she had had a professional engagement of this kindwith Mr. Marks. There had been a visitor in the flat when she arrived, but he had left as soon as she came in. Subsequently, according to herstatement, the deceased had acted towards her in an outrageous anddisgraceful manner. She had escaped from his flat with difficulty, andhad subsequently informed Mr. Lyndon of what had taken place. 

In his re-examination, the accused admitted that it was on accountof Miss Aylmer's statement he had visited the flat. Up till then, hedeclared, he had had no quarrel with the deceased. 

This statement, however, was directly contradicted by Lyndon'spartner, Mr. George Marwood. Giving his evidence with extremereluctance, Mr. Marwood stated that for some time bad blood hadundoubtedly existed between Mr. Marks and the accused. He added thatin his own hearing on two separate occasions the latter had threatenedto kill the deceased. 

Pressed still further, he admitted meeting Mr. Lyndon in Chelseaon the night of the murder, when the latter had to all intents andpurposes acknowledged his guilt. 

On the evidence there could naturally be only one verdict, and Lyndonwas found guilty and sentenced to death by Mr. Justice Owen. 

A tremendous agitation in favour of his reprieve broke out at once. Apart from the peculiar circumstances under which the crime wascommitted, it was urged that Mr. Lyndon's services to the country asan inventor should be taken into consideration. Within twenty-fourhours over a million people had signed a petition in his favour, andthe following day His Majesty was pleased to commute the sentence toone of penal servitude for life. 

There is little doubt, however, that Lyndon would have been releasedat the end of ten or twelve years. 

THE ESCAPED CONVICT'S CAREER

Neil Lyndon is the only son of the well-known explorer Colonel GrantLyndon, who perished on the Upper Amazon some fifteen years ago. Hewas educated at Haileybury, and Oriel College, Oxford, where he tookthe highest honours in chemistry and mathematics. Coming down, heentered into partnership with his cousin Mr. George Marwood, andbetween them the two young inventors met with early and remarkablesuccess. Their greatest achievement was of course the construction ofthe Lyndon-Marwood automatic torpedo, which was taken up four yearsago, after exhaustive tests, by the British Government. 

Lyndon is a man of exceptionally powerful physique. He successfullyrepresented Oxford as a heavy-weight boxer in his last term, and thefollowing year was runner up in the Amateur Championship. He is also afine long-distance swimmer, and a well-known single-handed yachtsman. 

Mr. George Marwood, whose painful position in connection with thetrial aroused considerable sympathy, has carried on the business alonesince his partner's conviction. Quite recently, as our readers willrecall, he was the victim of a remarkable outrage at his offices inVictoria Street. While he was working there by himself late at night, a couple of masked men broke into the building, bound and gagged him, and proceeded to ransack the safe. It is said that they secured plansand documents of considerable value, but owing to the non-arrest ofthe thieves the exact details have never come to light. 

So ended the _Daily Mail_. 

I finished reading, and taking a long breath, laid down the paper. Uptill then I had heard nothing about the news contained in the lastparagraph, and it sent my memory back at once to the big well-lightedroom in Victoria Street where George and I had spent so many hourstogether. I wondered what the valuable "plans and documents" mightbe which the thieves were supposed to have secured. In my day we hadalways been pretty careful about what we left at the office, andany really important plans--such as those of the Lyndon-Marwoodtorpedo--were invariably kept at the safe deposit across the street. 

From George and the office my thoughts drifted away over the wholeof that crowded time referred to in the paper. Brief and bald as thenarrative was, it brought up before me a dozen vivid memories, whichjostled each other simultaneously in my mind. I saw again poor littleJoyce's tear-stained face, and remembered the shuddering relief withwhich she had clung to me as she sobbed out her story. I could recallthe cold rage in which I had set out for Marks's flat, and that firstsavage blow of mine that sent him reeling and crashing into one of hisown cabinets. 

Then I was in court again, and George was giving his evidence--thelying evidence that had been meant to send me to the gallows. I remembered the cleverly assumed reluctance with which he hadapparently allowed his statements to be dragged from him, and my bloodrose hot in my throat as I thought of his treachery. 

Above all I seemed to see the fat red face of Mr. Justice Owen, withthe ridiculous little three-cornered black cap above it. He had beenvery cut up about sentencing me to death, had poor old Owen, and Icould almost hear the broken tones in which he had faltered out thewords:

"... Taken from the place where you now stand to the place whence youcame--hanged by the neck until your body be dead--and may God havemercy on your soul. "

At this cheerful point in my reminiscences I was suddenly interruptedby a sharp knock at the door. 

CHAPTER V

AN OFFER WITHOUT AN ALTERNATIVE

With a big effort I pulled myself together. "Come in, " I called out. 

The door opened, and the girl, Sonia, entered the room. She wascarrying a tray, which she set down on the top of the chest ofdrawers. 

"I don't know the least how to thank you for all this, " I said. 

She turned round and looked at me curiously from under her darkeyebrows. 

"For all what?" she asked. 

"This, " I repeated, waving my hand towards the tray, "and the hot bathlast night, and incidentally my life. If it hadn't been for you andDr. McMurtrie I think my 'career, ' as the _Daily Mail_ calls it, wouldbe pretty well finished by now. "

She stood where she was, her hand on her hip, her eyes fixed on myface. 

"Do you know why we are helping you?" she asked. 

I shook my head. "I haven't the faintest notion, " I answered frankly. "It certainly can't be on account of the charm of my appearance. I'vejust been looking at myself in the glass. "

She shrugged her shoulders half impatiently. "What does a man'sappearance matter? You can't expect to break out of Dartmoor in afrock-coat. "

"No, " I replied gravely; "there must always be a certain lack ofdignity about such a proceeding. Still, when one looks like--well, like an escaped murderer, it's all the more surprising that one shouldbe so hospitably received. "

She picked up the tray again, and brought it to my bedside. 

"Oh!" she said; "I shouldn't build too much upon our hospitality if Iwere you. "

I took the tray from her hands. "I would build upon yours to anyextent, " I said; "but I am under no illusion whatever about Dr. McMurtrie's disinterestedness. He and your father--it is your father, isn't it?--are coming up to explain matters as soon as I have hadsomething to eat. "

She stood silent for a moment, her brows knitted in a frown. 

"They mean you no harm, " she said at last, "as long as you will dowhat they want. " Then she paused. "Did you murder that man Marks?" sheasked abruptly. 

I swallowed down my first mouthful of fish. "No, " I said; "I onlyknocked him about a bit. He wasn't worth murdering. "

She stared at me as if she was trying to read my thoughts. 

"Is that true?" she said. 

"Well, " I replied, "he was alive enough when I left him, judging fromhis language. "

"Then why did your partner--Mr. Marwood--why did he say that you haddone it?"

"That, " I said softly, "is a little question which George and I havegot to discuss together some day. "

She walked to the door and then turned. 

"If a man I had trusted and worked with behaved like that to me, " shesaid slowly, "I should kill him. "

I nodded my approval of the sentiment. "I daresay it will come tothat, " I said; "the only thing is one gets rather tired of beingsentenced to death. "

She gave me another long, curious glance out of those dark brown eyesof hers, and then going out, closed the door behind her. 

For an exceedingly busy and agreeable quarter of an hour I occupiedmyself with the contents of the tray. There was some very nicelygrilled whiting, a really fresh boiled egg, a jar of honey, and alarge plate of brown bread and butter cut in sturdy slices. Best ofall, on the edge of the tray were a couple of McMurtrie's cigarettes. Whether he or Sonia was responsible for this last attention I couldnot say. I hoped it was Sonia: somehow or other I did not want to betoo much indebted to Dr. McMurtrie. 

I finished my meal--finished it in the most complete sense of thephrase--and then, putting down my tray on the floor, reverentlylighted up. I found that my first essay in smoking on the previousevening had in no way dulled the freshness of my enjoyment, and fora few minutes I was content to lie there pleasantly indifferent toeverything except the flavour of the tobacco. 

Then my mind began to work. Sonia's questions had once again started atrain of thought which ever since the trial had been running throughmy brain with maddening persistence. If I had not killed Marks, whohad? How often had I asked myself that during the past three years, and how often had I abandoned the problem in utter weariness!Sometimes, indeed, I had been almost tempted to think the jury musthave been right--that I must have struck the brute on the back of thehead without realizing in my anger what I was doing. Then, when Iremembered how I had left him crouching against the wall, spitting outcurses at me through his cut and bleeding lips, I knew that the ideawas nonsense. The wound which they found in his head must have killedhim instantly. No man who had received a blow like that would everspeak or move again. 

The one thing I felt certain of was that in some mysterious way orother George was mixed up in the business. It was incredible thathe could have acted as he did at the trial unless he had had somestronger reason than mere dislike for me. That he did dislike me Iknew well, but my six years' association with him had taught me thathe would never allow any personal motive to interfere with a chance ofmaking money. By sending me to the gallows or into penal servitudehe was practically ruining himself, for with all his acuteness andbusiness knowledge he was quite deficient in any sort of inventivepower. And yet he had not hesitated to do it, and to do it by a pieceof lying sufficiently cold-blooded and deliberate to make Judas palewith envy. 

If there had been any apparent chance of his being able to rob me bythe proceeding, I could have understood it. But my business interestsas far as past inventions went were safe in the hands of my lawyers, and although I had told him a certain amount about the new explosivewhich I had been working at, it was quite impossible for him to turnit to any practical use. 

No, George must have had some other reason for perjuring hisunpleasant soul, and the only one I could think of was that he hadpurposely turned the case against me in order to shield the realmurderer. He had been fairly well acquainted with the dead man, Iknew--their tastes indeed ran on somewhat similar lines--and it wasjust possible that he was aware who had committed the crime. 

The thought filled me, as it always had filled me, with a bitter fury. Again and again in my cell I had fancied myself escaping from theprison and choking the truth out of my cousin's throat with myfingers, and now that the first part of this picture had come true, Ivowed silently to myself that nothing should stop the remainder fromfollowing it. Whatever McMurtrie might propose, I would see Georgeonce again face to face, even if death or recapture was the price Ihad to pay. 

I had just arrived at this conclusion when I heard the sound offootsteps in the passage outside. Then the handle of the door turned, and McMurtrie appeared on the threshold with Savaroff looming upbehind him. There was a moment's silence, while the doctor stood theresmiling down on me as blandly as ever. 

"May we come in?" he inquired. "We are not interrupting your tea, Ihope. "

"No, I have done tea, thank you, " I said, with a gesture towards thetray. 

Why it was so, I can't say, but McMurtrie's politeness always filledme with a feeling of repulsion. There was something curiously sinisterabout it. 

He stepped forward into the room, followed by Savaroff, who closed thedoor behind him. The latter then lounged across and sat down on thewindow-sill, McMurtrie remaining standing by my bedside. 

"You have read the _Mail_, I see, " he said, picking up the paper. "Ihope you admired the size of the headlines. "

"It's the type of compliment, " I replied, "that I have had rather toomuch of. "

Savaroff broke out into a short gruff laugh. "Our friend, " he said, "is modest--so modest. He does not thirst for more fame. He wouldretire into private life if they would let him. "

He chuckled to himself, as though enjoying the subtlety of his ownhumour. Unlike his daughter, he spoke English with a distinctlyforeign accent. 

"Ah, yes, " said Dr. McMurtrie amiably; "but then, Mr. Lyndon is one ofthose people that we can't afford to spare. Talents such as his areintended for use. " He took off his glasses and began to polish themthoughtfully. "One might almost say that he held them in trust--intrust for Providence. "

There was a short silence. 

"And is it on account of my talents that you have been kind enough toshelter me?" I asked bluntly. 

The doctor readjusted his pince-nez, and seated himself with somedeliberation on the foot of the bed. 

"The instinct to assist a hunted fellow-creature, " he observed, "isalmost universal. " Then he paused. "I take it, Mr. Lyndon, that youare not particularly anxious to rejoin your friends in Princetown?"

I shook my head. "Not if there is a more pleasant alternative. "

Savaroff grunted. "No alternative is likely to be more unpleasant foryou, " he said harshly. 

The touch of bullying in his tone put my back up at once. "Indeed!" Isaid: "I can imagine several. "

McMurtrie's smooth voice intervened. "But ours, Mr. Lyndon, is onewhich I think will make a very special appeal to you. How would youlike to keep your freedom and at the same time take up your scientificwork again?"

I looked at him closely. For once there was no trace of mockery in hiseyes. 

"I should like it very much indeed, if it was possible, " I answered. 

McMurtrie leaned forward a little. "It is possible, " he said quietly. 

There was a short pause. Savaroff pulled out a cigar, bit off the end, and spat it into the fireplace. Then he reached sideways to the chestof drawers for a match. 

"Explain to him, " he said, jerking his head towards me. 

McMurtrie glanced at him--it seemed to me a shade impatiently. Then heturned back to me. 

"For some time before Mr. Marks's unfortunate death, " he said slowly, "you had been experimenting with a new explosive. "

I nodded my head. I had no idea how he had got his information, for asfar as I was aware George was the only person who had any knowledge ofmy secret. 

"And I believe you were just on the point of success when you werearrested?"

"Theoretically I was, " I said. "These matters don't always work outquite so well when you put them to a practical test. "

"Still, you yourself were quite satisfied with the prospects?"

I nodded again. 

"And unless I am wrong, this new explosive will be immensely morepowerful than anything now in use?"

"Immensely, " I repeated; "in fact, there would be no practicalcomparison between them. "

"Can you give me any idea as to its strength?"

I hesitated. "According to my calculations, " I said slowly, "it oughtto prove at least twenty times as powerful as gun-cotton. "

Savaroff uttered a hoarse exclamation and sat upright in his seat. 

"Are you speaking the truth?" he asked roughly. 

I stared him full in the face, and then without answering turned backto McMurtrie. 

The latter made a gesture with his hand. "Leave the matter to me, Savaroff, " he said sharply. "I understand Mr. Lyndon better than youdo. " Then addressing me: "Supposing you had all the things that yourequired, how long would it take you to manufacture some of thispowder--or whatever it is?"

"It's difficult to say, " I answered. "Perhaps a week; perhaps a coupleof months. I could make the actual stuff at once provided I had thematerials, but it's a question of doing it in such a way that one canhandle it safely for practical purposes. I was experimenting on thatvery point at the time of my arrest. "

McMurtrie nodded his head slowly. "You have been candid with us, "he said, "and now I will be equally candid with you. My friend M. Savaroff and myself are very largely interested in the manufactureof high explosives. The appearance of an invention like yours on themarket would be a very serious matter indeed for us. On the otherhand, if we had control of it, we should, I imagine, be in a positionto dictate our own terms. "

"You certainly would, " I said; "there is no question about that. Myexplosive would be no more expensive to manufacture than cordite. "

"So you see when some exceedingly convenient chance brought you inthrough our kitchen window it naturally occurred to me to invite youto stay and discuss the matter. You happen to be in a position inwhich you could be useful to us, and I think that we, on the otherhand, might be of some assistance to you. "

He leant back and watched me with that cold smile of his. 

"What do you say, Mr. Lyndon?" he added. 

I did some rapid but necessary thinking. It was quite true that thenew explosive would knock the bottom out of the present methods ofmanufacture, and McMurtrie's interests in the matter might well belarge enough to make him run the risk of helping me. There seemed noreason to doubt that he was speaking the truth--and yet, somehow orother I mistrusted him--mistrusted him from my soul. 

"How did you know about my experiments?" I asked quietly. 

He shrugged his shoulders. "There are such things as trade secrets. Itis necessary for a business man to keep in touch with anything thatmay threaten his interests. "

I hesitated a second. "What is it that you propose--exactly?" Iinquired. 

I saw--or thought I saw--the faintest possible gleam of satisfactionsteal into his eyes. 

"I propose that you should finish your experiments as soon aspossible, make some of this explosive, and hand the actual stuffand the full secret of its manufacture over to us. In return I willguarantee you your freedom, and let you have a quarter interest in allprofits we make out of your invention. "

He brought out these somewhat startling terms as coolly as though itwere an every-day custom of his to do business with escaped convicts. I bent down from the bed, and under cover of picking up my secondcigarette from the tray, secured a few useful moments for consideringthe situation. 

"I have no objection to the bargain, " I said slowly, helping myself toa match off the table; "the only question is whether it is possible tocarry it out. My experiments aren't the kind that can be conductedin a back bedroom. I should want a large shed of some kind, and thefarther away it was from any houses the better. There is always thechance of blowing oneself up at this sort of business, and in thatcase an explosive like mine would probably wreck everything within acouple of miles. "

"You shall work under any conditions you please, " said McMurtrieamiably. "If it suits you we will fix you up a hut and some sheds downon the Thames marshes, and you can live there till the experiments arefinished. "

"But I should be recognized, " I objected. "I am bound to berecognized. I am fairly well known as it is, and with my picture anddescription placarded all over England, I shouldn't stand a dog'schance. However lonely a place it was, some one would be bound to seeme and give me away sooner or later. "

McMurtrie shook his head. "You may be seen, " he said, "but there is noreason why you should be recognized. "

I paused in the act of lighting my cigarette. "What do you mean?" Iasked with some curiosity. 

"My dear Mr. Lyndon, " said McMurtrie, courteously, "as a scientistyourself you don't imagine that it's beyond the art of an intelligentsurgeon to cope with a little difficulty like that?"

"But in what way?" I objected. "A disguise? Any one can see through adisguise except in novels. "

The doctor smiled. "I am not suggesting a wig and a pair ofspectacles, " he observed. "It is rather too late in the world'shistory for that sort of thing. " Then he stopped and studied me for aninstant attentively. "In a fortnight, and practically without hurtingyou, " he added, "I can make you as safe from the police as if you weredead and buried. "

I sat up in bed. "Under the circumstances, " I said, "you'll excuse mybeing a little inquisitive. "

"Oh, there is no secret about it. Any surgeon could do it. I haveonly to alter the shape of your nose a trifle, and make your foreheadrather higher and wider. A stain of some sort will do the rest. "

"Yes, " I said; "but what about the first part of the programme?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Child's play, " he answered. "Merely aquestion of paraffin injections and the X-rays. "

He spoke with such careless confidence that for once it was impossibleto doubt his sincerity. 

I lay back again and drew in a large exulting lungful of cigarettesmoke. I had suddenly realized that if McMurtrie's offer was genuine, and he could really do what he promised, there were no longer anydifficulties in the way of my getting at George. The idea of meetinghim, and perhaps even speaking to him, without his being able torecognize me filled me with a wicked satisfaction that no words can dojustice to. 

I don't think I betrayed my emotion, however, for McMurtrie's keeneyes were on me, and I was not in the least anxious to take him intomy confidence. I blew out the smoke in a grey cloud, and then, raisingmyself on my elbow carefully flicked the ash off my cigarette. 

"How am I to know that you will keep your promise?" I asked. 

Savaroff made an angry movement, but before he could speak, McMurtriehad broken in. 

"You forget what an embarrassing position we shall be puttingourselves in, Mr. Lyndon, " he said with perfect good temper. "Shielding a runaway convict is an indictable offence--to say nothingof altering his appearance. As for the money"--he made a littlegesture of contempt--"well, do you think it would pay us to cheat you?There is always the chance that a gentleman who can invent things likethis explosive and the Lyndon-Marwood torpedo may have other equallysatisfactory notions. "

"Very well, " I said quietly. "I will accept the offer on onecondition--that I can have a week in London before beginning work. "

With an oath Savaroff started up from the window-sill. 

"Gott in Himmel! and who are you to make terms?" he exclaimed roughly. "Why, we have only to send you back to the prison and you will beflogged like a dog!"

"In which distressing event, " I observed, "you would not get yourexplosive. "

"My dear Savaroff, " interrupted McMurtrie, soothingly, "there isno need to threaten Mr. Lyndon. I am sure that he appreciates thesituation. " Then he turned to me. "I suppose you have some reason formaking this condition?"

Silently in my heart I invoked the shade of Ananias. 

"If you had been in Dartmoor three years, " I said, with a ratherwell-forced laugh, "you would find several excellent reasons forwanting a week in London. "

My acting must have been good, for I could have sworn I saw a faintexpression of relieved contempt flicker across McMurtrie's face. 

"I see. A little holiday--a brief taste of the pleasures of liberty!Well, that seems to me a very natural and reasonable request. What doyou think, Savaroff?"

That gentleman contented himself with a singularly ungracious grunt. 

"I don't think there would be much risk about it, " I said boldly. "Ifyou can change my appearance as completely as you say you can, no onewould be the least likely to recognize me. After three years of thatdog's life up there I can't settle down in a hut on the Thames marsheswithout having a few days' fun first. I should be very careful whatI did naturally. I have had quite enough of the prison to appreciatebeing outside. "

McMurtrie nodded. "Very well, " he said slowly. "I see no objection toyour having your 'few days' fun' in London if you want them. It wouldbe safer perhaps to get you away from this house as soon as possible. I should think three weeks would be quite enough for our purposeshere--and I daresay it will take us a month to fix up a satisfactoryplace for you to work in. " Then he paused. "Of course if you go totown, " he added, "you will have to stay at some address we shallarrange for, and you will have to be ready to start work directly wetell you to. "

"Naturally, " I said; "I only want--"

I was saved from finishing my falsehood by a sudden sound fromoutside--the sound of a swing gate banging against its post. For amoment I had a horrible feeling that it might be the police. 

Savaroff jumped up and looked out of the window. Then with a littleguttural exclamation he turned back to McMurtrie. 

"Hoffman!" he muttered, apparently in some surprise. 

Who Mr. Hoffman might be I had not the faintest notion, but themention of the name brought the doctor to his feet at once. I thinkhe was rather annoyed with Savaroff for being unnecessarilycommunicative. When he spoke, however, it was with his usual perfectcomposure. 

"Well, we will leave you at peace now, Mr. Lyndon. I should try to goto sleep again for a little while if I were you. I will come up laterand see whether you would like some supper. " He stopped and lookedround the room. "Is there anything else you want that you haven'tgot?"

"If you could advance me a box of cigarettes, " I said, "it shall bethe first charge on the new explosive. "

He nodded, smiling. "I will send Sonia up with it, " he answered. Then, following Savaroff, he went out into the passage, carefully closingthe door after him. 

Left alone, I lay back on the pillow in a frame of mind which Ibelieve novelists describe as "chaotic. " I had expected somethingrather unusual from my interview with McMurtrie, but these proposalsof his could hardly be classed under such a mild heading as that. Forsheer unexpectedness they about took the biscuit. 

I had read in books of a man's appearance being altered so completelythat even his best friends failed to recognize him, but it had neveroccurred to me that such a thing could be done in real life--let alonein the simple fashion outlined by the doctor. Of course, if he wasspeaking the truth, there seemed no reason why his plan, fantastic asit might sound, should not turn out perfectly successful. A privatehut on the Thames marshes was about the last place in which you wouldlook for an escaped Dartmoor convict, especially when he had vanishedinto thin air within a few miles of Devonport. 

What worried me most in the matter was my apparent good luck in havingfallen on my feet in this amazing fashion. There is a limit to one'sbelief in coincidences, and the extraordinary combination of chancessuggested by McMurtrie's smooth explanations was just a little toostiff for me to swallow. I felt sure that he was lying in someimportant particulars--but precisely which they were I was unable toguess for certain. 

That he wanted the secret of the new explosive, and wanted it badly, there could be no doubt, but neither he nor Savaroff in the leastsuggested to me a successful manufacturer of cordite or anythingelse. They seemed to me to belong to a much more interesting if lessconventional type, and I couldn't help wondering what on earth sucha curious trio as they and Sonia could be doing tucked away in anill-furnished, deserted-looking country house in a corner of SouthDevon. 

However it was no good worrying, for as far as I was concerned it waspainfully clear that there was no alternative. If I declined theiroffer and refused to let McMurtrie carve my face about, they had onlyto turn me out, and in a few hours I should probably be back in mycell with the cheerful prospect of chains, a flogging, and six months'semi-starvation in front of me. 

Anything was better than that--even the wildest of plunges in thedark. Indeed I am not at all sure that the mystery that surroundedMcMurtrie's offer did not lend it a certain charm in my eyes. My lifehad been so infernally dull for the last three years that the prospectof a little excitement, even of an unpleasant kind, was by no meanswholly disagreeable. 

At least I had my week's "fun" in London to look forward to, and thethought of that alone would have been quite enough to make me gothrough with anything. I had lied to McMurtrie about my object, but the falsehood, such as it was, did not sit very heavily on myconscience. The precise meaning of "fun" is purely a matter ofopinion, and I was as much entitled to my definition as he was to his. After all, if a convicted murderer can't be a little careless aboutthe exact truth, who the devil can?

CHAPTER VI

THE FACE OF A STRANGER

McMurtrie had left me under the impression that he meant to start workon my face the next day, but as it turned out the impression was amistaken one. Both the paraffin wax and the X-ray outfit had to beprocured from London, and according to Sonia it was to see about thesethat her father went off to town early the following morning. She toldme this when she brought me up my breakfast, just after I had heardthe car drive away from the house. 

"Well, I suppose I had better get up too, " I said. "I can't stop inbed and be waited on by you. "

"You've got to, " she replied curtly, "unless you would rather I sentup Mrs. Weston. "

"Who's Mrs. Weston?" I inquired. 

Sonia placed the tray on my bed. "She's our housekeeper. She's deafand dumb. "

"There are worse things, " I observed, "in a housekeeper. " Then I satup and pulled my breakfast towards me. "Of course I would much ratheryou looked after me. I was only thinking of the trouble I'm givingyou. "

"Oh, it's not much trouble, " she said; then after a little pause sheadded, in a rather curious voice: "Anyway I shouldn't mind if it was. "

"But I am feeling perfectly fit this morning, " I persisted. "I mightjust as well get up if your father would lend me some kit. I don'tthink I could squeeze into McMurtrie's. "

She shook her head. "The doctor says you are to stop where you are. He is coming up to see you. " Then she hesitated. "One of the prisonwarders called here last night to warn us that you were probablyhiding in the neighbourhood. "

"That was kind, " I said, "if a little belated. Had they found thebicycle?"

"No, " she answered, "and they are not likely to. My father went outand brought it in the night you arrived. It's buried in the backgarden. "

There was another short silence, and then she seated herself on thefoot of the bed. "Tell me, " she said, "this girl--Joyce Aylmer--do youlove her?"

The question came out so unexpectedly that it took me by uttersurprise. I stopped in the middle of conveying a piece of bacon to mymouth and laid it down again on the plate. 

"Why, Joyce is only a child, " I said; "at least she was when I went toprison. We were all in love with her in a sort of way. Her father hadbeen an artist in Chelsea before he died, and we looked on her asa kind of general trust. She used to run in and out of the variousstudios just as she pleased. That was the reason I was so furious withMarks. It was impossible to believe that a man who wasn't an absolutefiend could--" I pulled up short in some slight embarrassment. 

"But she is not a child now, " remarked Sonia calmly. "According to thepaper she must be nineteen. "

"Yes, " I said, "I suppose people grow older even when I'm in prison. "

"And she loves you--she must love you. Do you think any woman couldhelp loving a man who had done what you did for her?"

"Oh, I expect she has forgotten all about me long ago, " I said witha sudden bitterness. "People who go to prison can't expect to beremembered--except by the police. "

I had spoken recklessly, and even while the words were on my tongue avision of Joyce's honest blue eyes rose reproachfully in my mind. Iremembered the terrible heartbroken little note which she had sent meafter the trial, and then her other letter which I had received inDartmoor--almost more pitiful in its brave attempt to keep hope andinterest alive in my heart. 

Sonia leaned forward, her hands clasped in her lap. 

"I thought, " she said slowly, "I thought that perhaps you wanted to goto London in order to meet her. "

I shook my head. "I am not quite so selfish as that. I have broughther enough trouble and unhappiness already. "

"Then it is your cousin that you mean to see, " she said softly--"thisman, Marwood, who sent you to the prison. "

For a second I was silent. It had suddenly occurred to me that inasking these questions Sonia might be acting under the instructions ofMcMurtrie or her father. 

She saw my hesitation and evidently guessed the cause. 

"Oh, you needn't think I shall repeat what you tell me, " she brokeout almost scornfully. "The doctor and my father are quite capable oftaking care of themselves. They don't want me to act as their spy. "

There was a genuine ring of dislike in her voice as she mentionedtheir names which made me believe that she was speaking the truth. 

"Well, " I said frankly, "I was thinking of looking up George just tosee how he has been getting on in my absence. But apart from that Ihave every intention of playing straight with McMurtrie. It seems tome to be my only chance. "

A bell tinkled faintly somewhere away in the house, and Sonia got upoff the bed. 

"It _is_ your only chance, " she said quietly, "but it may be a betterone than you imagine. "

And with this encouraging if somewhat obscure remark she went out andleft me to my thoughts. 

McMurtrie came up about an hour later. Suave and courteous as ever, he knocked at my door before entering the room, and wished me goodmorning in the friendliest of fashions. 

"I have brought you another _Daily Mail_--yesterday's, " he said, throwing the paper down on the bed. "It contains the second instalmentof your adventures. " Then he paused and looked at me with that curioussmile that seemed to begin and end with his lips. "Well, " he added, "and how are the stiffness and the sore throat this morning?"

"Gone, " I said, "both of them. I have no excuse for stopping in bedexcept lack of clothes. "

He nodded and sat down on the window-sill. "I daresay we can find away out of that difficulty. My friend Savaroff would, I am sure, bedelighted to lend you some garments to go on with. You seem to be muchof a size. "

"Well, I should be delighted to accept them, " I said. "Even the joy ofbeing in a real bed again begins to wear off after two days. "

"I am afraid you can't expect very much liberty while you are ourguest, " he said, leaning back against the window. "It would be toodangerous for you to go outside the house, even at night time. Iexpect Sonia told you about our visitor yesterday. "

"Yes, " I said; "I should like to have heard the interview. "

"It was quite interesting. From what he told me I should say that fewprisoners have been more missed than you are. It appears that thereare over seventy warders hunting about the neighbourhood, to saynothing of volunteers. "

"I seem to be giving a lot of trouble, " I said sadly. 

The doctor shrugged his shoulders. "Not to us. I am only sorry thatwe can't offer you a more entertaining visit. " He opened his case andhelped himself to a cigarette. "On the whole, however, I daresay youwon't find the time drag so very much. There will be the businessof altering your appearance--I hope to start on that the day aftertomorrow--and then I want you to make me out a full list of everythingyou will need in connection with your experiments. It would be bestperhaps to have a drawing of the actual shed--just as you would likeit fitted up. You might start on this right away. "

"Certainly, " I said. "I shall be glad to have something to do. "

"And I don't suppose you will mind much if we can't arrange anythingvery luxurious for you in the way of living accommodation. We shallhave to choose as lonely a place as possible, and it will probablyinvolve your feeding chiefly on tinned food, and roughing it a bitgenerally. It won't be for very long. "

"I shan't mind in the least, " I said. "Anything will be comfortableafter Princetown. As long as you can fix me up with what I want for mywork I shan't grumble about the rest. "

He nodded again in a satisfied manner. "By the way, " he said, "Isuppose you never wore a beard or a moustache before you went toprison?"

"Only once in some amateur theatricals, " I answered "and then themoustache came off. "

"They will make a great difference in your appearance by themselves, "he went on, looking at me critically. "I wonder how long they willtake to grow. "

I passed my hand up my face, which was already covered with a thickstubble about half an inch in length. "At the present rate ofprogress, " I said, "I should think about a week. "

McMurtrie smiled. "Another fortnight on top of that will be nearer themark, I expect, " he said, getting up from the bed. "That will just fitin with our arrangements. In three weeks we ought to be able to fixyou up with what you want, and by that time there won't be quite somuch excitement about your escape. The _Daily Mail_ will have becometired of you, even if the police haven't. " He stopped to flick the ashoff his cigarette. "Of course you will have to be extremely carefulwhen you are in London. I shall change your appearance so that itwill be quite impossible for any one to recognize you, but there willalways be the danger of somebody remembering your voice. "

"I can disguise that to a certain extent, " I said. "Besides, it's notlikely that I shall run across any one I know well. I only want toamuse myself for two or three evenings, and the West End's a largeplace as far as amusement goes. " Then I paused. "If you really thoughtit was too risky, " I added carelessly, "I would give up the idea. "

It was a bold stroke--but it met with the success that it deserved. Any lingering doubts McMurtrie may have had about my intentions wereapparently dispersed. 

"I think you will work all the better for a short holiday, " he said;"and I am sure you are sensible enough to keep out of any trouble. "

He walked to the door, and stood for a moment with his hand on theknob. "I will send you up the clothes and some paper and ink, " headded. "Then you can get up or write in bed--just as you like. "

After three years of granite quarrying--broken only by a short spellof sewing mailsacks--the thought of getting back to a more congenialform of work was a decidedly pleasant one. During the half-hour thatelapsed before Sonia came up with my things, I lay in bed, busilypondering over various points in connection with my approaching task. I had often done the same in the long solitary hours in my cell, andworked out innumerable figures and details in connection with it on myprison slate. Most of them, however, I had only retained vaguely in myhead, for it is one of the intelligent rules of our cheerful convictsystem to allow no prisoner to make permanent notes of anything thatmight be of possible service to him after his release. 

There seemed, therefore, every prospect that I should be fullyoccupied for some time to come. Indeed, it was not until I had dressedmyself in Savaroff's clothes (they fitted me excellently) and sat downat the table with a pen and a pile of foolscap in front of me, that Irealized what a lengthy task I had taken on. 

All my rough notes--those invaluable notes and calculations that Ihad spent eighteen months over--were packed away in my safe at theVictoria Street office. I had not bothered about them at the time, forwhen you are being tried for your life other matters are apt to assumea certain degree of unimportance. Besides, although I had told Georgeof their existence, I knew very well that, being jotted down in aprivate cypher, no one except myself would be able to make head ortail of what they were about. 

Still they would naturally have been of immense help to me now if Icould have got hold of them. Clear as the main details were in mymind, I saw I should have to go over a good bit of old ground beforeI could make out the exact list of my requirements which McMurtrieneeded. 

All that afternoon and the whole of the following day I stuck steadilyto my task. I had little to interrupt me, for with the exceptionof Sonia who brought me up my meals, and the old deaf-and-dumbhousekeeper who came to do my room about midday, I saw or heardnobody. McMurtrie did not appear again, and Savaroff, as I knew, wasaway in London. 

I took an hour off in the evening for the purpose of studying the_Daily Mail_, which proved to be quite as entertaining as the previousissue. There were two and a half columns about me altogether, thefirst consisting of a powerful if slightly inaccurate description ofhow I had stolen the bicycle, and the remainder dealing with variousfeatures of my crime and my escape. It was headed:

STILL AT LARGENEIL LYNDON'S FIGHT FOR LIBERTY

and I settled myself down to read with a feeling of enjoyment thatwould doubtless have gratified Lord Northcliffe had he been fortunateenough to know about it. 

"Neil Lyndon, " it began, "whose daring escape from Princetown wasfully described in yesterday's _Daily Mail_, has so far successfullybaffled his pursuers. Not only is he still at liberty, but havingpossessed himself of a bicycle and a change of clothes by means of anamazingly audacious burglary, it is quite possible that he has managedto get clear away from the immediate neighbourhood. "

This opening paragraph was followed by a full and vivid description ofmy raid on the bicycle house. It appeared that the machine which Ihad borrowed was the property of a certain Major Hammond, who, wheninterviewed by the representative of the _Mail_, expressed himself ofthe opinion that I was a dangerous character and that I ought to berecaptured without delay. 

The narrative then shifted to my dramatic appearance on the bicycle, as witnessed by the surprised eyes of Assistant-warder Marshfield. According to that gentleman I had flashed past him at a terrificspeed, hurling a handful of gravel in his face, which had temporarilyblinded him. With amazing pluck and presence of mind he had recoveredhimself in time to puncture my back wheel, a feat of marksmanshipwhich, as the _Daily Mail_ observed, was "highly creditable under thecircumstances. "

From that point it seemed that all traces of me had ceased. Both I andthe bicycle had vanished into space as completely as Elijah and hisfiery chariot, and not all the united brains of Carmelite Houseappeared able to suggest a wholly satisfactory solution. 

"Lyndon, " said the _Mail_, "may have succeeded in reaching Plymouth onthe stolen machine, and there obtained the food and shelter of whichby that time he must have been sorely in need. On the other hand itis possible that, starved, frozen, and most likely wounded, he iscrouching in some remote coppice, grimly determined to perish ratherthan to surrender himself to the warders. "

It was "possible, " certainly, but as a guess at the truth that wasabout all that could be said for it. 

The thing that pleased me most in the whole paper, however, was theinterview with George in the third column. It was quite short--only asix-line paragraph headed "Mr. Marwood and the Escape, " but brief asit was, it filled me with a rich delight. 

"Interviewed by our Special Correspondent at his residence on theChelsea Embankment, Mr. George Marwood was reluctant to express anyopinion on the escape. 'The whole thing, ' he said, 'is naturallyextremely distasteful to me. I can only hope that the unhappy man maybe recaptured before he succumbs to exposure, and before he has thechance to commit any further acts of robbery and violence. '"

In regard to the last sentiment I had not the faintest doubt thatGeorge was speaking the truth from the bottom of his heart. As long asI was at liberty his days and nights would be consumed by an acute andpainful anxiety. He was no doubt haunted by the idea that I had brokenprison largely for the purpose of renewing our old acquaintance, andthe thought that I might possibly succeed in my object must have beenan extremely uncomfortable one. I laughed softly to myself as I satand pictured his misgivings. It cheered me to think that whateverhappened later he would be left in this gnawing suspense for at leastanother three weeks. After that I might perhaps see my way to relieveit. 

There were other people, I reflected, who must have read the _Mail_with an equally deep if rather different interest. I tried to fancyhow the news of my escape had affected Joyce. For all my cynicaloutburst in the morning, I knew well that no truer or more honestlittle heart ever beat in a girl's breast, and that the uncertaintyabout my fate must even now be causing her the utmost distress. 

Then there was Tommy Morrison. Somehow or other I didn't think Tommywould be quite as anxious as Joyce. I could almost see him slappinghis leg and laughing that great laugh of his, as he read about mytheft of the bicycle and my wild dash down the hill past the warder. He was a great believer in me, was Tommy--and I felt sure that nothingbut the news of my recapture would shake his faith in my ability tosurvive. 

It was good to know that, whatever the rest of the world might bethinking, these two at least would be following my escape with apassionate hope that I should pull through. 

Just about six o'clock in the evening of the next day Savaroffreturned. I heard the car drive up to the house, and then came thesound of voices and footsteps, followed by the banging of a door. After that there was silence for perhaps twenty minutes while my twohosts were presumably talking together in one of the rooms below. Whether Sonia was with them or not I could not tell. 

At last I heard some one mounting the stairs, and a moment laterMcMurtrie's figure framed itself in the doorway. 

"I'm afraid I am interrupting your work, " he said, standing on thethreshold and looking down at the sheets of foolscap which litteredthe table in front of me. 

"Not a bit, " I returned cheerfully. "I've just finished"; and I beganto gather up the fruits of my two-days' toil into something likeorder. 

He shut the door and came across to where I was sitting. "Do you meanyou have made out the full list of what you want?" he asked, pickingup one of the sheets and running his eye rapidly over the notes andcalculations. 

"I have done it all in the rough, " I replied, "except the drawing ofthe shed. That will only take an hour or so. "

"Excellent, " he exclaimed. "I can see there won't be much time wastedwhen we once get to work. " Then he laid down the paper. "Tomorrowmorning I propose trying the first of our little operations. Savaroffhas brought me the things I needed, and I think we can finish thewhole business in a couple of days. "

"What part of me are you going to start on?" I inquired with someinterest. 

"I think I shall alter the shape of your nose first, " he said. "It'spractically a painless operation--just one injection of hot paraffinwax under the skin. After that you have only to keep quiet for acouple of hours so that the wax can set in the right shape. "

"What about the X-ray treatment?" I asked. 

He shrugged his shoulders. "That's perfectly simple too. Merely amatter of covering up everything except the part that we want exposed. One uses a specially prepared sort of lead sheeting. There isabsolutely no danger or difficulty about it. "

I thought at first that he might be purposely minimizing bothoperations in order to put me at my ease, but as it turned out he wastelling me nothing except the literal truth. 

At half-past ten the next morning he came up to my room with Sonia inattendance, the latter carrying a Primus stove and a small black bag. 

At his own suggestion I had stayed in bed, and from between the sheetsI viewed their entrance not without a certain whimsical feeling ofregret. When one has had a nose of a particular shape for the bestpart of thirty years it is rather a wrench to feel that one isabandoning it for a stranger. I passed my fingers down it almostaffectionately. 

McMurtrie, who appeared to be in the best of spirits, wished megood-morning in that silkily polite manner of his which I was gettingto dislike more and more. Sonia said nothing. She simply put thethings down on the table by my bedside, and then stood there withthe air of sullen hostility which she seemed generally to wear inMcMurtrie's presence. 

"I feel rather like a gladiator, " I said. "Morituri te salutant!"

McMurtrie, who had taken a shallow blue saucepan out of the bag andwas filling it with hot water, looked up with a smile. 

"It will be all over in a minute, " he said, reassuringly. "The onlytrouble is keeping the wax liquid while one is actually injecting it. One has to stand it in boiling water until the last second. "

He put the saucepan on the stove, and then produced out of the baga little china-clay cup, which he stood in the water. Into this hedropped a small lump of transparent wax. 

We waited for a minute until the latter melted, McMurtrie filling upthe time by carefully sponging the bridge of my nose with some liquidantiseptic. Then, picking up what seemed like an ordinary hypodermicsyringe, he warmed it carefully by holding it close to the Primus. 

"Now, " he said; "all you have to do is to keep perfectly still. Youwill just feel the prick of the needle and the smart of the hot wax, but it won't really hurt. If you move you will probably spoil theoperation. "

"Go ahead, " I answered encouragingly. 

He dipped the syringe in the cup, and then with a quick movement ofhis hand brought it across my face. I felt a sharp stab, followedinstantly by a stinging sensation all along the bridge of the nose. McMurtrie dropped the syringe at once, and taking the skin between hisfingers began to pinch and mould it with swift, deft touches into therequired shape. I lay as motionless as possible, hoping that thingswere prospering. 

It seemed to me a long time before the job was finished, though Idaresay it was in reality only a matter of forty-five seconds. Iknow I felt vastly relieved when, with a quick intake of his breath, McMurtrie suddenly sat back and began to contemplate his work. 

"Well?" I inquired anxiously. 

He nodded his head, with every appearance of satisfaction. 

"I think we can call it a complete success, " he said. Then he steppedback and looked at me critically from a couple of paces away. "What doyou think, Sonia?" he asked. 

"I suppose it's what you wanted, " she said, in a rather grudging, ungracious sort of fashion. 

"If you won't think me vain, " I observed, "I should like to have alook at myself in the glass. "

McMurtrie walked to the fireplace and unhooked the small mirror whichhung above the mantelpiece. 

"I would rather you waited for a couple of days if you don't mind, " hesaid. "You know what you used to look like better than any one else, and it will be a good test if you see yourself quite suddenly whenthe whole thing is finished. I will borrow this--and keep you out oftemptation. "

"Just as you like, " I returned. "It will at least give me time totrain myself for the shock. "

Quick and easy as the first operation had been, the second provedequally simple. The only apparatus it involved was an ordinary X-raymachine, with a large glass globe attached to it, which McMurtriebrought up the next morning and arranged carefully by my bedside. Onhis pressing down a switch, which he did for my benefit, the wholeinterior of this globe became flooded with those curious lambentviolet rays, which have altered so many of our previous notions on thesubject of light and its power. 

McMurtrie placed me in position, and then producing a large sheet offinely-beaten-out lead, proceeded to bend and twist it into a sort ofweird-looking helmet. When I put this on it covered my head and facealmost completely, leaving only an inch of hair along the forehead andperhaps a little more over each temple exposed to the light. 

Thus equipped, I sat for perhaps an hour in the full glare of themachine. It was dull work, and as McMurtrie made no attempt to enlivenit by conversation I was not sorry when he eventually flicked off theswitch, and relieved me of my headgear. 

I had expected my hair to tumble out in a lump, but as a matter offact it was over two days in accomplishing the task. There was nodiscomfort about the process: it just came off gradually all alongmy forehead, leaving a smooth bare line which I could feel with myfingers. As soon as it was all gone, McMurtrie proceeded to decorateme with some kind of stain that he had specially prepared for myface and neck--a composition which according to him would remainpractically unaffected either by washing or exposure. It smeltdamnably in the pot, but directly it was rubbed in this slightdrawback disappeared. 

I was naturally anxious to see what result all these attentions hadhad upon my personal appearance, but McMurtrie insisted on my waitinguntil my hair and beard had grown to something like a tolerablelength. I can well remember the little thrill of excitement thatran through me when, on the fourth day after my first operation, hebrought me back the looking-glass. 

"I think we might introduce you to yourself today, " he said, smiling. "Of course another fortnight will make a considerable differencestill, but even now you will be able to get a good idea of what youwill look like. I am curious to hear your opinion. "

He handed me the glass, and the next moment, with an involuntary cryof amazement, I was staring at my reflection. 

Instead of my usual features I saw a rough-looking, bearded man ofabout forty-five, with an aquiline nose, a high forehead, and a darksunburned skin. It was the face of a complete stranger: at thebest that of a hard-bitten war correspondent or explorer; at theworst--well, I don't know what it mightn't have been at the worst. 

I stared and stared in a kind of incredulous fascination, untilMcMurtrie's voice abruptly recalled me to my surroundings. 

"Well, Mr. Neil Lyndon, " he said, "do you recognize yourself?"

I laid down the glass. 

"Don't call me that, " I replied quietly. "Neil Lyndon is dead. "

CHAPTER VII

A KISS AND A CONFESSION

One would hardly expect an escaped murderer to complain of beingdull--especially when the whole country is still ringing with thestory of his disappearance. Yet I must confess that, when I had oncegot used to the strangeness of my position, the next two weeks draggedintolerably. 

I was accustomed to confinement, but in the prison at all events I hadhad plenty of hard work and exercise, while here, cooped up entirelyin one room, I was able to do nothing but pace restlessly up anddown most of the day like a caged bear. I had finished my lists anddrawings for McMurtrie, and my only resources were two or threesensational novels which Sonia brought me back one day after a visitto Plymouth. I cannot say I found them very entertaining. I had beenrather too deeply into life in that line myself to have much use forthe second-hand imaginings of other people. 

Of the doctor and Savaroff I saw comparatively little. Both of themwere away from the house a good deal of the time, often returning inthe car late at night, and then sitting up talking till some unholyhour in the morning. I used to lie awake in bed, and listen to thedull rumble of their voices in the room below. 

That there was something mysterious going on which I knew nothingabout I became more convinced every day, but what it could be I wasunable to guess. Once or twice I tried to sound Sonia on the matter, but although she would talk freely about my own affairs, on any pointconnected with herself or the curious household to which she belongedshe maintained an obstinate silence. 

The girl puzzled me strangely. At times it almost seemed as though shewere being forced against her will to take part in some business thatshe thoroughly disliked; but then the obvious way in which the twomen trusted her scarcely bore out this idea. She showed no particularaffection for her father, and it was plain that she detestedMcMurtrie, yet there was evidently some bond between them strongenough to keep all three together. 

To me she behaved from the first with a sort of sullen friendliness. She would come and sit in my room, and with her chin resting on herhand and her big dark eyes fixed on mine, she would ask me questionsabout myself or listen to the stories I told her of the prison. Once, when I had been describing some peculiarly mean little persecutionwhich one of the warders (who objected on principle to what he called"gen'lemen lags") had amused himself by practising on me, she hadjumped up and with a quick, almost savage gesture, laid her hand on myarm. 

"Never mind, " she said; "it's over now, and you shall make them payfor what they have done to you. We can promise you that at least, " andshe laughed with a curious bitterness I failed to understand. 

Of the mysterious Mr. Hoffman, who had turned up at the house on thesecond day after my arrival, I saw or heard nothing more. I askedSonia about him one day, but she only replied curtly that he was abusiness friend of the doctor's, and with this meagre information Ihad to remain content. 

The point that I felt perhaps most inquisitive about was whomMcMurtrie could have mistaken me for when I had crawled in through thekitchen window. I had a distinct recollection of his having mentionedsome name just before I had collapsed, but it had gone out of my headand for the life of me I couldn't recall it. You know the maddeningway a name will hang about the tip of one's tongue, just avoidingevery effort at recapture. 

Apart from my talks with Sonia, my chief entertainment was reading the_Daily Mail_. Not a day passed but some one seemed to discover a freshclue to my hiding-place. I was seen and recognized at Manchester, Yarmouth, London, and Edinburgh; while one gentleman wrote to informthe editor he had trustworthy information I was actually in St. Petersburg, having been engaged by the Russian Government to effectcertain improvements in their torpedo service. All this was quitepleasing, for, in addition to showing me that the police were stillutterly at sea as to my whereabouts, I knew that each fresh reportwould help to keep George in an acute state of nervous tension. 

Just as my imprisonment was becoming almost unbearably irksome, theend arrived with an unexpected abruptness. I was sitting at the windowone morning smoking an after-breakfast pipe--a pipe which Sonia hadbrought me back from Plymouth at the same time as the books--when Iheard a loud ring at the front door-bell, followed by a couple ofsharp knocks. Despite my three years' absence from worldly affairs, Irecognized the unmistakable touch of a telegraph-boy. 

Since it was hardly likely that the wire was for me, I continued tosmoke with undisturbed serenity. Perhaps ten minutes passed, and Iwas just wondering whether the message had anything to do with thearrangements which McMurtrie was making on my behalf, when a doorslammed and I heard someone coming up the stairs. I knew from thesound that it was the doctor himself. 

He entered the room, and looked round with his usual suave smile. Toall outward appearance he was as composed as ever, but I had a curiouspresentiment that something unexpected had happened. However, Ithought it best to show no sign of any such impression. 

"Good-morning, " I said, knocking out my pipe and stuffing it away inmy pocket--or rather Savaroff's pocket. "A grand day, isn't it!"

"Beautiful, " he answered genially--"quite beautiful. " Then he walkedacross and sat down on the end of the bed. "As a matter of fact, Icame up to see whether you felt like taking advantage of it. "

"Do you mean that it's safe for me to go out?" I asked with someeagerness. 

He shrugged his shoulders. "It's as safe as it ever will be; but Imeant rather more than that. "

There was a pause. 

"Yes?" I said encouragingly. 

"I meant that our preparations are going on so well, that as far as Ican see there is nothing to be gained by keeping you here any longer. I have just had a wire to say that the cottage and shed we have beenarranging for near Tilbury are practically finished. If you want yourweek in London I think you had better go up this afternoon. "

His proposal took me so completely by surprise that for a moment Ihardly knew what to say. Somehow or other, I had a suspicion that hewas keeping something back. I knew that he had intended me to staywhere I was for at least another three days, and he was not the sortof man to change his plans without an uncommonly good reason. 

Still, the last thing I wanted was to let him think that I in any waydoubted his good faith, so pulling myself together, I forced a reallycreditable laugh. 

"Right you are, " I said. "It's rather short notice, but I'm game tostart any time. The only thing is, what am I to do about clothes?"

"You can keep those you're wearing to go up in, " he answered. "Whenyou get to London you must buy yourself an outfit. Get what you wantat different shops and pay for them in cash. I will advance you fiftypounds, which ought to be enough to last you the week. "

"One can do quite a lot of dressing and dissipation on fifty pounds, "I replied cheerfully. "Where am I going to stay?"

He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Here's theaddress, " he said. "It's a lodging-house near Victoria Station, keptby a sister of Mrs. Weston. You will find it comfortable and quiet, and you needn't worry about the landlady having any suspicions. I havetold her that you have just come back from abroad and that you wantto be in London for several days on business. You will pass under thename of Nicholson--James Nicholson. "

He handed me the envelope, and I read the address. 

Mrs. Oldbury, 3, Edith Terrace, S. W. 

_Nr. Victoria Station_. 

"Very well, " I said, getting up from my seat; "I understand I am tostop with Mrs. Oldbury and amuse myself spending the fifty poundsuntil I hear from you. "

He nodded. "Directly things are ready we shall let you know. Till thenyou are free to do as you like. " He opened a small leather case andhanded me a bundle of bank-notes. "Here is the money, " he added with asmile. "You see, we trust you absolutely. If you choose to make a boltto America, there will be nothing to stop you. "

It was said with such apparent frankness that it ought to have carriedconviction; but as a matter of fact it did nothing of the kind. I feltcertain that it would not be McMurtrie's fault if he failed to keephimself informed about my movements while I was in London. Too muchtrustfulness in human nature did not seem likely to be one of hisbesetting weaknesses. 

However, I pocketed the notes cheerfully enough; indeed the mere touchof them in my hand gave me a pleasant feeling of confidence. It isalways nice to handle money in comparative bulk, but being absolutelywithout it for thirty-six months invests the operation with a peculiarcharm. 

"You had better be ready to start from here about half-past one, " saidMcMurtrie. "Savaroff will take you into Plymouth in the car, and thereis a fast train up at two-five. It gets you into London just beforeseven. "

"Good!" I said. "That will give me time to buy what I want when Iarrive. It would spoil my dinner if I had to shop afterwards. "

McMurtrie, who had crossed to the door, looked back at me with a sortof half-envious, half-contemptuous smile. 

"You are a curious fellow, Lyndon, " he said. "At times you might be aboy of twenty. "

"Well, I am only twenty-nine, " I protested; "and one can't alwaysremember that one's an escaped murderer. "

I was sitting on the window-sill when I made the last remark; but assoon as he had gone I jumped to my feet and began to pace restlesslyup and down the room. Now that the moment of my release was really athand, a fierce excitement had gripped hold of me. Although I hadhad plenty of time to get used to my new position, the amazingpossibilities of it had never seemed to come fully home to metill that minute. I suddenly realized that I was stepping into anexperience such as probably no other human being had ever tasted. Iwas like a man coming back from the dead, safe against recognition, and with all the record of my past life scarred and burnt into mymemory. 

I walked to the glass and once again stared long and closely at myreflection. There could be no question about the completeness of mydisguise. Between Neil Lyndon as the world had known him, and thegrim, bearded, sunburned face that looked back at me out of themirror, there was a difference sufficiently remarkable to worry therecording angel. People's wits may be sharpened both by fear andaffection, but I felt that unless I betrayed myself deliberately, noteven those who knew me best, such as George or Tommy, would have theremotest suspicion of my real identity. Anyhow, I intended to put myopinion to the test before very many hours had passed. 

I was pondering over this agreeable prospect, and still inspectingmyself in the glass, when I heard a soft knock at the door. I openedit, and found Sonia standing outside. She was holding a bag in herhand--a good-sized Gladstone that had evidently seen some hard workin its time, and she came into the room and shut the door behind herbefore speaking. 

"Well, " she said, in her curious, half-sullen way, "are you pleasedyou are going to London?"

"Why, yes, " I said; "I'm pleased enough. "

As a matter of fact the word "pleased" seemed rather too simple to sumup my emotions altogether adequately. 

She placed the bag on the floor and sat down on the bed. Then, leaningher face against the bottom rail, she stared up at me for a momentwithout speaking. 

"What did the doctor tell you?" she asked at last. 

"He told me I could go up to London by the two-five, " I said. 

"Is that all?"

"Dr. McMurtrie, " I reminded her, "is never recklessly communicative. "Then I paused. "Still I should like to know the reason for the changeof programme, " I added. 

She raised her head and glanced half nervously, half defiantly at thedoor. 

"We are going to give up this house tomorrow--that's the reason, " shesaid, speaking low and rather quickly. "Our work here is finished, andit will be best for us to leave as soon as possible. "

"I wish, " I said regretfully, "that I inspired just a little moreconfidence. "

Sonia hesitated. Then she sat up, and with a characteristic gesture ofhers pushed back her hair from her forehead. 

"Come here, " she said slowly; "come quite close to me. "

I walked towards her, wondering at the sudden change in her voice. As I approached she straightened her arms out each side of her, andhalf-closing her eyes, raised her face to mine. 

"Kiss me, " she said, almost in a whisper; "kiss my lips. "

I could hardly have declined such an invitation even if I had wishedto, but as a matter of fact I felt no such prompting. It was overthree years since I had kissed anybody, and with her eyes half-closedand her breast softly rising and falling, Sonia looked decidedlyattractive. I bent down till my mouth was almost touching hers. Thenwith a little sigh she put her arms round my neck, and slowly anddeliberately our lips met. 

It was at this exceedingly inopportune moment that Savaroff's gutturalvoice came grating up the stairs from the hall below. 

"Sonia!" he shouted--"Sonia! Where are you? I want you. "

She quietly disengaged her arms, and drawing back, paused for a momentwith her hands on my shoulders. 

"Now you understand, " she said, looking straight into my eyes. "Theyare nothing to me, my father and the doctor--I hate them both. Itis you I am thinking of--you only. " She leaned forward and swiftly, almost fiercely again kissed my mouth. "When the time comes, " shewhispered--

"Sonia! Sonia!" Once more Savaroff's voice rose impatiently from thehall. 

In a moment Sonia had crossed the room. I had one rapid vision ofher looking back at me--her lips parted her dark eyes shiningpassionately, and then the door closed and I was alone. 

I sat down on the bed and took a long breath. There was a time when anunexpected incident of this sort would merely have left me in a stateof comfortable optimism, but a prolonged residence in Dartmoor hadevidently shaken my nerve. 

I soon collected myself, however, and lighting a cigarette with somecare, got up and walked to the open window. If Sonia was really inlove with me--and there seemed to be rather sound evidence that shewas--I had apparently, succeeded in making a highly useful ally. Thismay appear to have been rather a cold-blooded way of regarding thematter, but to tell the truth the whole thing had taken me so utterlyby surprise that I could scarcely realize as yet that I had beenpersonally concerned in it. I had kissed her certainly--underthe circumstances I could hardly have done otherwise--but of anydeliberate attempt to make her fond of me I was beautifully andentirely innocent, it had never struck me that an escaped murdererwith an artificial and rather forbidding countenance was in danger ofinspiring affection, especially in a girl whose manner had alwaysbeen slightly suggestive of a merely sullen tolerance. Still, havingsucceeded in doing so, I felt no qualms in making the best of thesituation. I needed friends rather badly, especially friends who hadan intimate working acquaintance with the eminent firm of Messrs. McMurtrie and Savaroff. If the not wholly disagreeable task ofreturning Sonia's proffered affection was all that was necessary, Ifelt that it would be flying in the face of Providence to decline suchan opportunity. I was not the least in love with her--except by a verygenerous interpretation of the word, but I did not think that thisunfortunate fact would seriously disturb my conscience. A lifesentence for what you haven't done is apt to rob one's sense of honourof some of its more delicate points. 

With a pleasant feeling that things were working for the best, Igot up again; and hoisting the Gladstone bag on to the bed began tocollect the books, the tooth-brush, and the few other articles whichmade up my present earthly possessions. 

CHAPTER VIII

RT. HON. SIR GEORGE FRINTON, P. C. 

That journey of mine to London stands out in my memory withextraordinary vividness. I don't think I shall ever forget thesmallest and most unimportant detail of it. The truth is, I suppose, that my whole mind and senses were in an acutely impressionable stateafter lying fallow, as they practically had, for over three years. Besides, the sheer pleasure of being out in the world again seemed toinvest everything with an amazing interest and wonder. 

It was just half-past one when Savaroff brought the car round to thefront door. I was standing in the hall talking to McMurtrie, who haddecided not to accompany us into Plymouth. Of Sonia I had seen nothingsince our unfortunately interrupted interview in the morning. 

"Well, " said the doctor, as with a grinding of brakes the car pulledup outside, "we can look on this as the real beginning of our littleenterprise. "

I picked up my Gladstone. "Let's hope, " I said, "that the end will beequally satisfactory. "

McMurtrie nodded. "I fancy, " he said, "that we need have noapprehensions. Providence is with us, Mr. Lyndon--Providence or someequally effective power. "

There was a note of irony in his voice which left one in no doubt asto his own private opinion of our guiding agency. 

I stepped out into the drive carrying my bag. Savaroff, who wassitting in the driving seat of the car, turned half round towards me. 

"Put it on the floor at the back under the rug, " he said. "You willsit in front with me. "

He spoke in his usual surly fashion, but by this time I had becomeaccustomed to it. So contenting myself with a genial observation tothe effect that I should be charmed, I tucked the bag away out ofsight and clambered up beside him into the left-hand seat. McMurtriestood in the doorway, that mirthless smile of his fixed upon his lips. 

"Good-bye, " I said; "we shall meet at Tilbury, I suppose--if notbefore?"

He nodded. "At Tilbury certainly. Au revoir, Mr. Nicholson. "

And with this last reminder of my future identity echoing in my ears, we slid off down the drive. 

All the way into Plymouth Savaroff maintained a grumpy silence. He wasnaturally a taciturn sort of person, and I think, besides that, he hadtaken a strong dislike to me from the night we had first seen eachother. If this were so I had certainly not done much to modify it. Ifelt that the man was naturally a bully, and it always pleases andamuses me to be disliked by bullies. Indeed, if I had had no otherreason for responding to Sonia's proffered affection I should havedone so just because Savaroff was her father. 

My companion's sulks, however, in no way interfered with my enjoymentof the drive. It was a perfect day on which to regain one's liberty. The sun shone down from a blue sky flecked here and there with fleecywhite clouds, and on each side of the road the hedges and trees werejust beginning to break into an almost shrill green. The very airseemed to be filled with a delicious sense of freedom and adventure. 

As we got nearer to Plymouth I found a fresh source of interest andpleasure in the people that we passed walking along the road ordriving in traps and cars. After my long surfeit of warders andconvicts the mere sight of ordinarily-dressed human beings laughingand talking filled me with the most intense satisfaction. On severaloccasions I had a feeling that I should like to jump out of the carand join some group of cheerful-looking strangers who turned to watchus flash past. This feeling became doubly intense when we actuallyentered Plymouth, where the streets seemed to be almost inconvenientlycrowded with an extraordinary number of attractive-looking girls. 

I was afforded no opportunity, however, for indulging in any suchpleasant interlude. We drove straight through the town at a rapidpace, avoiding the main thoroughfares as much as possible, and notslackening until we pulled up outside Millbay station. We left the carin charge of a tired-looking loafer who was standing in the gutter, and taking out my bag, I followed Savaroff into the booking office. 

"You had better wait there, " he muttered, pointing to the corner. "Iwill get the ticket. "

I followed his suggestion, and while he took his place in the smallqueue in front of the window I amused myself watching my fellowpassengers hurrying up and down the platform. They looked peacefulenough, but I couldn't help picturing what a splendid disturbancethere would be if it suddenly came out that Neil Lyndon was somewhereon the premises. The last time I had been in this station was on myway up to Princetown two and a half years before. 

At last Savaroff emerged from the throng with my ticket in his hand. 

"I have taken you a first-class, " he said rather grudgingly. "You willprobably have the carriage to yourself. It is better so. "

I nodded. "I shouldn't like to infect any of these good people withhomicidal mania, " I said cheerfully. 

He looked at me rather suspiciously--I think he always had a sort ofvague feeling that I was laughing at him--and then without furtherremark led the way out on to the platform. 

McMurtrie had given me a sovereign and some loose silver for immediateexpenses, and I stopped at the bookstall to buy myself some papers. Iselected a _Mail_, a _Sportsman, Punch_, and the _Saturday Review_. Ilingered over the business because it seemed to annoy Savaroff: indeedit was not until he had twice jogged my elbow that I made my finalselection. Then, grasping my bag, I marched up the platform behindhim, coming to a halt outside an empty first-class carriage. 

"This will do, " he said, and finding no sound reason for contradictinghim I stepped in and put my bag upon the rack. 

"Good-bye, Savaroff, " I said cheerfully. "I shall have the pleasure ofseeing you too at Tilbury, I suppose?"

He closed the door, and thrust his head in through the open window. 

"You will, " he said in his guttural voice; "and let me give you alittle word of advice, my friend. We have treated you well--eh, but ifyou think you can in any way break your agreement with us you make avery bad mistake. "

I took out my cigarette case. "My dear Savaroff, " I said coldly, "whyon earth should I want to break my agreement with you? It is the onlypossible chance I have of a new start. "

He looked at me closely, and then nodded his head. "It is well. Solong as you remember we are not people to be played with, no harm willcome to you. "

He let this off with such a dramatic air that I very nearly burst outlaughing. 

"I shan't forget it, " I said gravely. "I've got a very good memory. "

There was a shrill whistle from the engine, followed by a warningshout of "Stand back there, please; stand back, sir!" I had a lastglimpse of Savaroff's unpleasant face, as he hurriedly withdrew hishead, and then with a slight jerk the train began to move slowly outof the station. 

I didn't open my papers at once. For some time I just sat where I wasin the corner and stared out contentedly over the passing landscape. There is nothing like prison to broaden one's ideas about pleasure. Uptill the time of my trial I had never looked on a railway journey as aparticularly fascinating experience; now it seemed to me to besimply chock-full of delightful sensations. The very names of thestations--Totnes, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth--filled me with a sort ofcurious pleasure: they were part of the world that I had once belongedto--the gay, free, jolly world of work and laughter that I had thoughtlost to me for ever. I felt so absurdly contented that for a littlewhile I almost forgot about George. 

The only stop we made was at Exeter. There were not many people on theplatform, and I had just decided that I was not going to be disturbed, when suddenly a fussy-looking little old gentleman emerged from thebooking office, followed by a porter carrying his bag. They camestraight for my carriage. 

The old gentleman reached it first, and puckering up his face, peeredin at me through the window. Apparently the inspection was a success. 

"This will do, " he observed. "Leave my bag on the seat, and go and seethat my portmanteau is safely in the van. Then if you come back here Iwill give you threepence for your trouble. "

Dazzled by the prospect, the porter hurried off on his errand, andwith a little grunt the old gentleman began to hoist himself inthrough the door. I put out my hand to assist him. 

"Thank you, sir, thank you, " he remarked breathlessly. "I am extremelyobliged to you, sir. "

Then, gathering up his bag, he shuffled along the carriage, andsettled himself down in the opposite corner. 

I was quite pleased with the prospect of a fellow passenger, unexciting as this particular one promised to be. I have either reador heard it stated that when people first come out of prison they feelso shy and so lost that their chief object is to avoid any sort ofsociety at all. I can only say that in my case this was certainly nottrue. I wanted to talk to every one: I felt as if whole volumesof conversation had been accumulating inside me during the longspeechless months of my imprisonment. 

It was the old gentleman, however, who first broke our silence. Lowering his copy of the _Times_, he looked up at me over the top ofhis gold-rimmed spectacles. 

"I wonder, sir, " he said, "whether you would object to having thatwindow closed; I am extremely susceptible to draughts. "

"Why, of course not, " I replied cheerfully, and suiting my action tomy words I jerked up the sash. 

This prompt attention to his wishes evidently pleased him; for hethanked me civilly, and then, after a short pause, added some becomingreflection on the subject of the English spring. 

It was not exactly an inspiring opening, but I made the most of it. Without appearing intrusive I managed to keep the conversation going, and in a few minutes we were in the middle of a brisk meteorologicaldiscussion of the most approved pattern. 

"I daresay you find these sudden changes especially trying, " commentedmy companion. Then, with a sort of apology in his voice, he added:"One can hardly help seeing that you have been accustomed to a warmerclimate. "

I smiled. "I have been out of England, " I said, "for some time"; andif this was not true in the letter, I don't think that even GeorgeWashington could have found much fault with it in the spirit. 

"Indeed, sir, indeed, " said the old gentleman. "I envy you, sir. Ionly wish my own duties permitted me to winter entirely abroad. "

"It has its advantages, " I admitted, "but in some ways I am quitepleased to be back again. "

My companion nodded his head. "For one thing, " he said, "one getsterribly behindhand with English news. I find that even the best ofthe foreign papers are painfully ill-informed. "

A sudden mischievous thought came into my head. "I have hardly seen apaper of any kind for a fortnight!" I said. "Is there any particularnews? The last interesting thing I saw was about that young fellow'sescape from Dartmoor--that young inventor--what was his name?--who wasin for murder. "

The old gentleman looked up sharply. "Ah! Lyndon, " he said, "NeilLyndon you mean. He is still at large. "

"From what I read of the case, " I went on carelessly, "it seems ratherdifficult to help sympathizing with him--to a certain extent. Theman he murdered doesn't appear to have been any great loss to thecommunity. "

My companion opened his mouth as if to speak, and then hesitated. "Well, as a matter of fact I am scarcely in a position to discuss thesubject, " he said courteously. "Perhaps, sir, you are unaware who Iam?"

He asked the question with a slight touch of self-conscious dignity, which showed me that in his own opinion at all events he was a personof considerable importance. I looked at him again more carefully. There seemed to be something familiar about his face, but beyond thatI was utterly at sea. 

"The fact is, I have been so much abroad, " I began apologetically--

He cut me short by producing a little silver case from his pocket andhanding me one of his cards. 

"Permit me, sir, " he said indulgently. 

I took it and read the following inscription:

RT. HON. SIR GEORGE FRINTON, P. C. _The Reform Club_. 

I remembered him at once. He was a fairly well known politician--anold-fashioned member of the Liberal Party, with whose name I had beenmore or less acquainted all my life. I had never actually met him inthe old days, but I had seen one or two photographs and caricaturesof him, and this no doubt explained my vague recollection of hisfeatures. 

For just a moment I remained silent, struggling against a strongimpulse to laugh. There was something delightfully humorous in thethought of my sitting in a first-class carriage exchanging cheerfulconfidences with a distinguished politician, while Scotland Yard andthe Home Office were racking their brains over my disappearance. Itseemed such a pity I couldn't hand him back a card of my own just forthe fun of watching his face while he read it. 

MR. NEIL LYNDON_Late of His Majesty's Prison_, _Princetown_. 

Collecting myself with an effort, I covered my apparent confusion witha slight bow. 

"It was very stupid of me not to have recognized you from yourpictures, " I said. 

This compliment evidently pleased the old boy, for he beamed at me inthe most gracious fashion. 

"You see now, sir, " he said, "why it would be quite impossible for meto discuss the matter in question. "

I bowed again. I didn't see in the least, but he spoke as if the pointwas so obvious that I thought it better to let the subject drop. Icould only imagine that he must be holding some official position, theimportance of which he probably overrated. 

We drifted off into the discussion of one or two other topics;settling down eventually to our respective newspapers. I can't say Ifollowed mine with any keen attention. My brain was too much occupiedwith my own affairs to allow me to take in very much of what I read. Ijust noticed that we were engaged in a rather heated discussionwith Germany over the future of Servia, and that a well-meaning butshort-sighted Anarchist had made an unsuccessful effort to shoot thePresident of the American Steel Trust. 

Of my own affairs I could find no mention, beyond a brief statement tothe effect that I was still at liberty. There was not even the usualletter from somebody claiming to have discovered my hiding-place, andfor the first time since my escape I began to feel a little neglected. It was evident that as a news topic I was losing something of my firstfreshness. 

The last bit of the journey from Maidenhead onwards seemed to take usan unconscionably long time. A kind of fierce restlessness had begunto get hold of me as we drew nearer to London, and I watched thefields and houses flying past with an impatience I could hardlycontrol. 

We rushed through Hanwell and Acton, and then suddenly the huge bulkof Wormwood Scrubbs Prison loomed up in the growing dusk away tothe right of the line. It was there that I had served my"separates"--those first ghastly six months of solitary confinementwhich make even Princetown or Portland a welcome and agreeable change. 

At the sight of that poisonous place all the old bitterness welled upin me afresh. For a moment even my freedom seemed to have lost itssweetness, and I sat there with my hands clenched and black resentmentin my heart, staring out of those grim unlovely walls. It was luckyfor George that he was not with me in the carriage just then, forI think I should have wrung his neck without troubling about anyexplanations. 

I was awakened from these pleasant reflections by a sudden blare oflight and noise on each side of the train. I sat up abruptly, witha sort of guilty feeling that I had been on the verge of betrayingmyself, and letting down the window, found that we were steamingslowly into Paddington Station. In the farther corner of the carriagemy distinguished friend Sir George Frinton was beginning to collecthis belongings. 

I just had time to pull myself together when the train stopped, andout of the waiting line of porters a man stepped forward and flungopen the carriage door. He was about to possess himself of my fellowpassenger's bag when the latter waved him aside. 

"You can attend to this gentleman, " he said. "My own servant issomewhere on the platform. " Then turning to me, he added courteously:"I wish you good-day, sir. I am pleased to have made youracquaintance. I trust that we shall have the mutual pleasure ofmeeting again. "

I shook hands with him gravely. "I hope we shall, " I replied. "It willbe a distinction that I shall vastly appreciate. "

And of all unconscious prophecies that were ever launched, I fancythis one was about the most accurate. 

Preceded by the porter carrying my bag, I crossed the platform andstepped into a waiting taxi. 

"Where to, sir?" inquired the man. 

I had a sudden wild impulse to say: "Drive me to George, " but Ichecked it just in time. 

"You had better drive me slowly along Oxford Street, " I said. "I wantto stop at one or two shops. "

The man started the engine and, climbing back into his seat, set offwith a jerk up the slope. I lay back in the corner, and took in along, deep, exulting breath. I was in London--in London at last--andif those words don't convey to you the kind of savage satisfactionthat filled my soul you must be as deficient in imagination as aprison governor. 

CHAPTER IX

THE MAN WITH THE SCAR

My shopping took me quite a little while. There were a lot of thingsI wanted to get, and I saw no reason for hurrying--especially asMcMurtrie was paying for the taxi. I stopped at Selfridge's and laidin a small but nicely chosen supply of shirts, socks, collars, andother undergarments, and then, drifting slowly on, picked up atintervals some cigars, a couple of pairs of boots, and a presentableHomburg hat. 

The question of a suit of clothes was the only problem that offeredany real difficulties. Apart from the fact that Savaroff's suit was byno means in its first youth, I had a strong objection to wearing hisinfernal things a moment longer than I could help. I was determined tohave a decently cut suit as soon as possible, but I knew that it wouldbe a week at least before any West End tailor would finish the job. Inthe meantime I wanted something to go on with, and in my extremity Isuddenly remembered a place in Wardour Street where four or five yearsbefore I had once hired a costume for a Covent Garden ball. 

I told the man to drive me there, and much to my relief found theshop still in existence. There was no difficulty about getting what Iwanted. The proprietor had a large selection of what he called "WestEnd Misfits, " amongst which were several tweeds and blue serge suitsbig enough even for my somewhat unreasonable proportions. I chose thetwo that fitted me best, and then bought a second-hand suit-case topack them away in. 

I had spent about fifteen pounds, which seemed to me as much as afifty-pound capitalist had any right to squander on necessities. Itherefore returned to the taxi and, arranging my parcels on thefront seat, instructed the man to drive me down to the address thatMcMurtrie had given me. 

Pimlico was a part of London that I had not patronized extensively inthe days of my freedom, and I was rather in the dark about the precisesituation of Edith Terrace. The taxi-man, however, seemed to sufferunder no such handicap. He drove me straight to Victoria, and then, taking the road to the left of the station, turned off into aneighbourhood of dreary-looking streets and squares, all bearing adismal aspect of having seen better days. 

Edith Terrace was, if anything, slightly more depressing than therest. It consisted of a double row of gaunt, untidy houses, from whichmost of the original stucco had long since peeled away. Quiet enoughit certainly was, for along its whole length we passed only one man, who was standing under a street lamp, lighting a cigarette. He lookedup as we went by, and for just one instant I had a clear view of hisface. Except for a scar on the cheek he was curiously like one of thewarders at Princetown, and for that reason I suppose this otherwisetrifling incident fixed itself in my mind. It is funny on what queerchances one's fate sometimes hangs. 

We pulled up at Number 3 and, mounting some not very recently cleanedsteps, I gave a brisk tug at a dilapidated bell-handle. After a minuteI heard the sound of shuffling footsteps; then the door opened and afunny-looking little old woman stood blinking and peering at me fromthe threshold. 

"How do you do?" I said cheerfully. "Are you Mrs. Oldbury?"

She gave a kind of spasmodic jerk, that may have been intended for acurtsey. 

"Yes, sir, " she said. "I'm Mrs. Oldbury; and you'd be the gentlemanI'm expectin'--Dr. McMurtrie's gentleman?"

This seemed an accurate if not altogether flattering description ofme, so I nodded my head. 

"That's right, " I said. "I'm Mr. Nicholson. " Then, as the heavilyladen taxi-man staggered up the steps, I added: "And these are mybelongings. "

With another bob she turned round, and leading the way into the houseopened a door on the right-hand side of the passage. 

"This will be your sitting-room, sir, " she said, turning up the gas. "It's a nice hairy room, and I give it a proper cleaning out thismorning. "

I looked round, and saw that I was in a typical "ground-floor front, "with the usual cheap lace curtains, hideous wall paper, and slightlystuffy smell. At the back of the room, away from the window, were twofolding doors. 

My landlady shuffled across and pushed one of them open. "And thisis the bedroom, sir. It's what you might call 'andy--and quiet too. You'll find that a nice comfortable bed, sir. It's the one my late'usband died in. "

"It sounds restful, " I said. Then walking to the doorway I paid offthe taxi-man, who had deposited his numerous burdens and was waitingpatiently for his fare. 

As soon as he had gone, Mrs. Oldbury, who had meanwhile occupiedherself in pulling down the blinds and drawing the curtains, inquiredwhether I should like anything to eat. 

"I don't think I'll trouble you, " I said. "I have got to go out in anycase. "

"Oh, it's no trouble, sir--no trouble at all. I can put you on a nicelittle bit o' steak as easy as anything if you 'appen to fancy it. "

I shook my head. A few weeks ago "a nice little bit o' steak" wouldhave seemed like Heaven to me, but since then I had become moreluxurious. I was determined that my first dinner in London should beworthy of the occasion. Besides, I had other business to attend to. 

"No, thanks, " I said firmly. "I don't want anything except some hotwater and a latchkey, if you have such a thing to spare. I don't knowwhat time you go to bed here, but I may be a little late gettingback. "

She fumbled in her pocket and produced a purse, from which sheextricated the required article. 

"I'm not gen'rally in bed--not much before midnight, sir, " she said. "If you should be later per'aps you'd be kind enough to turn out thegas in the 'all. I'll send you up some 'ot water by the girl. "

She went off, closing the door behind her; and picking up my parcelsand bags I carried them into the bedroom and started to unpack. Idecided that the blue suit was most in keeping with my mood, so I laidthis out on the bed together with a complete change of underclothes. Iwas eyeing the latter with some satisfaction, when there came a knockat the door, and in answer to my summons the "girl" entered with thehot water. She was the typical lodging-house drudge, a poor littleobject of about sixteen, with a dirty face and her hair twisted up ina knot at the back of her head. 

"If yer please, sir, " she said, with a sniff, "Mrs. Oldbury wants terknow if yer'll be likin' a barf in the mornin'. "

"You can tell Mrs. Oldbury that the answer is yes, " I said gravely. Then I paused. "What's your name?" I asked. 

She sniffed again, and looked at me with round, wondering eyes. "Gertie, sir. Gertie 'Uggins. "

I felt in my pocket and found a couple of half-crowns. 

"Take these, Gertie, " I said, "and go and have a damned good dinnerthe first chance you get. "

She clasped the money in her grubby little hand. 

"Thank you, sir, " she murmured awkwardly. 

"You needn't thank me, Gertie, " I said; "it was a purely selfishaction. There are some emotions which have to be shared before theycan be properly appreciated. My dinner tonight happens to be one ofthem. "

She shifted from one leg to the other. "Yes, sir, " she said. Then witha little giggle she turned and scuttled out of the room. 

I washed and dressed myself slowly, revelling in the sensation ofbeing once more in clean garments of my own. I was determined not tospoil my evening by allowing any bitter or unpleasant thoughts todisturb me until I had dined; after that, I reflected, it would bequite time enough to map out my dealings with George. 

Lighting a cigarette I left the house, and set off at a leisurely pacealong Edith Terrace. It was my intention to walk to Victoria, and thentake a taxi from there to whatever restaurant I decided to dine at. The latter question was not a point to be determined lightly, and as Istrolled along I debated pleasantly in my mind the attractions of twoor three of my old haunts. 

By the time I reached Victoria I had decided in favour ofGaultier's--if Gaultier's was still in existence. It was a place that, in my time at all events, had been chiefly frequented by artists andforeigners, but the food, of its kind, was as good there as anywherein London. 

I beckoned to a passing taxi, and waving his arm in response thedriver swerved across the street and drew up at the kerb. 

"Where to, guv'nor?" he inquired. 

I gave him the direction, and then turned to open the door. As I didso I noticed a man standing on the pavement close beside me lookingvacantly across the street. For an instant I wondered where I had seenhim before; then quite suddenly I remembered. He was the man wehad passed in Edith Terrace, lighting a cigarette under the streetlamp--the man who had reminded me of one of the prison warders. I knewI was not mistaken because I could see the scar on his face. 

With a sudden vague sense of uneasiness I got into the taxi and shutthe door. The gentleman on the pavement paid no attention to me atall. He continued to stand there staring aimlessly at the traffic, until we had jerked forward and turned off round the corner ofVictoria Street. 

All the same the incident had left a kind of uncomfortable feelingbehind it. I suppose an escaped convict is naturally inclined to besuspicious, and somehow or other I couldn't shake off the impressionthat I was being watched and followed. If so, I had not much doubtwhom I was indebted to for the honour. It had never seemed to melikely that McMurtrie would leave me entirely to my own sweet deviceswhile I was in London--not, at all events, until he had satisfiedhimself that I had been speaking the truth about my intentions. 

Still, even if my suspicions were right, there seemed no reason forbeing seriously worried. The gentleman on the pavement might haveoverheard me give the address to the driver, but that after all wasexactly what I should have liked him to hear. Dinner at Gaultier'ssounded a most natural preliminary to an evening's dissipation, andunless I was being actually followed to the restaurant I had nothingto fear. It was quite possible that my friend with the scar was onlyanxious to discover whether I was really setting out for the West End. 

All the same I determined to be devilish careful about my futuremovements. If McMurtrie wanted a report he should have it, but I wouldtake particular pains to see that it contained nothing which would inany way disturb his belief in me. 

We pulled up at Gaultier's, and I saw with a sort of sentimentalpleasure that, outside at all events, it had not altered in the leastduring my three years' exile. There was the same discreet-lookinglittle window, the same big electric light over the door, and, unlessI was much mistaken, the same uniformed porter standing on the mat. 

When I entered I found M. Gaultier himself, as fat and bland as ever, presiding over the scene. He came forward, bowing low after his usualcustom, and motioned me towards a vacant table in the corner. I feltan absurd inclination to slap him on the back and ask him how he hadbeen getting on in my absence. 

It seemed highly improbable that he would remember my voice, but, asI had no intention of running any unnecessary risks, I was careful toalter it a little when I spoke to him. 

"Good-evening, " I began; "are you M. Gaultier?"

He bowed and beamed. 

"Well, M. Gaultier, " I said, "I want a good dinner--a quiteexceptionally good dinner. I have been waiting for it for some time. "

He regarded me keenly, with a mixture of sympathy and professionalinterest. 

"Monsieur is hungry?" he inquired. 

"Monsieur, " I replied, "is both hungry and greedy. You have full scopefor your art. "

He straightened himself, and for an inspired moment gazed at theceiling. Then he slapped his forehead. 

"Monsieur, " he said, "with your permission I go to consult the chef. "

"Go, " I replied. "And Heaven attend your council. "

He hurried off, and I beckoned to the head waiter. 

"Fetch me, " I said, "a Virginian cigarette and a sherry and bitters. "

A true gourmet would probably shudder at such a first course, butit must be remembered that for three years my taste had had noopportunity of becoming over-trained. Besides, in matters of this sortI always act on the principle that it's better to enjoy oneself thanto be artistically correct. 

Lying back in my chair I looked out over the little restaurant with asensation of beautiful complacency. The soft rose-shaded lamps threw awarm glamour over everything, and through the delicate blue spirals ofmy cigarette I could just see the laughing face of a charmingly prettygirl who was dining with an elderly man at the opposite table. Iglanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was close on eight--thehour when the cell lights at Princetown are turned out, and anotherdragging night of horror and darkness begins. Slowly and luxuriously Isipped my sherry and bitters. 

I was aroused from my reverie by the approach of M. Gaultier, whocarried a menu in his hand. 

He handed me the card with another bow, and then stepped back asthough to watch the result. This was the dinner:

Clear soup. 

Grilled salmon. 

Lamb. New potatoes. 

Woodcock. 

Pęche Melba. 

Marrow on Toast. 

I read it through, enjoying each separate word, and then, with a faintsigh, handed it back to him. 

"Heaven, " I said, "was undoubtedly at the conference. "

M. Gaultier picked up a wine list from the table. "And what willMonsieur drink?" he inquired reverently. 

"Monsieur, " I replied, "has perfect faith in your judgment. He willdrink everything you choose to give him. "

Half an hour later I again lay back in my chair, and lapped in asuperb contentment gently murmured to myself those two delightfullines of Sydney Smith's--

"Serenely calm, the epicure may say:Fate cannot harm me, I have dined today. "

I sipped my Turkish coffee, lighted the fragrant Cabana which M. Gaultier had selected for me, and debated cheerfully with myself whatI should do next. I had had so many unpleasant evenings since my trialthat I was determined that this one at all events should be a completesuccess. 

My first impulse of course was to visit George. There was somethingvery engaging in the thought of being ushered into his presence by arespectable butler, and making my excuses for having called at suchan unreasonable hour. I pictured to myself how he would look asI gradually dropped my assumed voice, and very slowly the almostincredible truth began to dawn on him. 

So charming was the idea that it was only with some reluctance I wasable to abandon it. I didn't want to waste George: he had to last meat least three days, and I felt that if I went down there now, warmedand exhilarated with wine and food, I should be almost certain to givemyself away. I had no intention of doing that until the last possiblemoment. I still had a sort of faint irrational hope that by watchingGeorge without betraying my identity, I might discover something whichwould throw a little light on his behaviour to me. 

But if I didn't go to Cheyne Walk, what was I to do? I put thequestion to myself as I slowly lifted the glass of old brandy whichthe waiter had set down in front of me, and before the fine spirittouched my lips the answer had flashed into my mind. I would go andsee Tommy!

It was the perfect solution of the difficulty; and as I put down theglass again I laughed softly in sheer happiness. The prospect ofinterviewing Tommy without his recognizing me was only a degree lessattractive than the thought of a similar experience with George. Iknew that the mere sight of his velvet coat and his dear old burlycarcase would fill me with the most delightful emotions--emotionswhich now, amongst all my one-time friends, he and perhaps poor littleJoyce would alone have the power to provoke. The others seemed to meas dead as the past to which they belonged. 

One thing I was determined on, and that was that I wouldn't give awaymy secret. It would be difficult not to, for there were naturally ahundred things I wanted to say to Tommy; but, however much I might betempted, I was resolved to play the game. It was not the thought of mypromise to McMurtrie (that sat very easily on my conscience), but thepossibility of getting Tommy himself into trouble. I knew that for mehe would run any risk in the world with the utmost cheerfulness, butI had no intention of letting him do it. He had done more than enoughfor me at the time of the trial. 

I called for the waiter and paid my bill. It seemed absurdly cheapfor such a delightful evening, and I said as much to M. Gaultier, whoinsisted on accompanying me to the door. He received the remark with aprotesting gesture of his hands. 

"Most people, " he said, "feed. Monsieur eats. To such we do notwish to overcharge. It is a pleasure to provide a dinner which isappreciated. "

The porter outside volunteered to call me a taxi, and while he wasengaged in that operation I had a sharp look up and down the streetto see whether my friend with the scar was hanging about anywhere. Icould discern no sign of him, but all the same, when the taxi came up, I took the precaution of directing the man in a fairly audible voiceto drive me to the Pavilion, in Piccadilly Circus. It was not untilwe were within a few yards of that instructive institution that Iwhistled through the tube and told him to take me on to Chelsea. 

I knew Tommy was in the same studio, for Joyce had told me so in hersecond letter. It was one of a fairly new block of four or five at thebottom of Beaufort Street, about half a mile along the embankmentfrom George's house. All the way down I was debating with myself whatexcuse I could offer for calling at such a late hour, and finallyI decided that the best thing would be to pretend that I was atravelling American artist who had seen and admired some of Tommy'swork. Under such circumstances it would be difficult for the latternot to ask me in for a short chat. 

I stopped the cab in the King's Road, and getting out, had anothergood look round to see that I was not being followed. Satisfied onthis point, I lighted a second cigar and started off down BeaufortStreet. 

The stretch of embankment at the bottom seemed to have altered verylittle since I had last seen it. One or two of the older houses hadbeen done up, but Florence Court, the block of studios in which Tommylived, was exactly as I remembered it. The front door was open, afterthe usual casual fashion that prevails in Chelsea, and I walked intothe square stone hall, which was lighted by a flickering gas jet. 

There was a board on the right, containing the addresses of thevarious tenants. Opposite No. 3 I saw the name of Mr. T. G. Morrison, and with a slight quickening of the pulse I advanced along thecorridor to Tommy's door. 

As I reached it I saw that there was a card tied to the knocker. Iknew that this was a favourite trick of Tommy's when he was away, andwith a sharp sense of disappointment I bent down to read what waswritten on it. With some difficulty, for the light was damnable, Imade out the following words, roughly scribbled in pencil:

"Out of Town. Please leave any telegrams or urgent letters at No. 4. T. M. "

I dropped the card and stood wondering what to do. If Tommy had somepal living next door, as seemed probable from his notice, the latterwould most likely know what time he was expected to return. For amoment I hesitated: then retracing my steps, I walked back into thehall and glanced at the board to see who might be the tenant of No. 4. 

To my surprise I found it was a woman--a "Miss Vivien. "

At first I thought I must be wrong, for women had always been the oneagreeable feature of life for which Tommy had no manner of use. Thereit was, however, as plain as a pikestaff, and with a feeling of livelyinterest I turned back towards the flat. Whoever Miss Vivien mightbe, I was determined to have a look at her. I felt that the girl whomTommy would leave in charge of his more important correspondence mustbe distinctly worth looking at. 

I rang the bell, and after a short wait the door was opened by alittle maid about the size and age of Gertie 'Uggins, dressed in a capand a print frock. 

"Is Miss Vivien in?" I asked boldly. 

She shook her head. "Miss Vivien's out. 'Ave you got an appointment?"

"No, " I said. "I only want to know where Mr. Morrison is, and whenhe's coming back. There's a notice on his door asking that any lettersor telegrams should be left here, so I thought Miss Vivien mightknow. "

She looked me up and down, with a faint air of suspicion. 

"'E's away in 'is boat, " she said shortly. "'E won't be back not tillThursday. "

So Tommy still kept up his sailing! This at least was news, and newswhich had a rather special interest for me. I wondered whether the"boat" was the same little seven-tonner, the _Betty_, in which wehad spent so many cheerful hours together off the Crouch and theBlackwater. 

"Thanks, " I said; and then after a moment's pause I added, "I supposeif I addressed a letter here it would be forwarded?"

"I s'pose so, " she admitted a little grudgingly. 

There seemed to be nothing more to say, so bidding the damselgood-night, I walked off down the passage and out on to theembankment. If I had drawn a blank as far as seeing Tommy wasconcerned, my evening had not been altogether fruitless. I felt vastlycurious as to who Miss Vivien might be. Somehow or other I couldn'tpicture Tommy with a woman in his life. In the old days, partly fromshyness and partly, I think, because they honestly bored him, he hadalways avoided girls with a determination that at times borderedon rudeness. And yet, unless all the signs were misleading, it wasevident that he and his next-door neighbour were on fairly intimateterms. The most probable explanation seemed to me that she was someelderly lady artist who darned his socks for him, and shed tearsin secret over the state of his wardrobe. There was a magnificentuncouthness about Tommy which would appeal irresistibly to a certaintype of motherly woman. 

I strolled up the embankment in the direction of Chelsea Bridge, smiling to myself over the idea. Whether it was right or not, itpresented such a pleasing picture that I had walked several hundredyards before I quite woke up to my surroundings. Then with a suddenstart I realized that I was quite close to George's house. 

It was a big red-brick affair, standing back from the embankmentfacing the river. As I came opposite I could see that there was alight on the first floor, in the room which I knew George used as astudy. I stopped for a minute, leaning back against the low wall andstaring up at the window. 

I wondered what my cousin was doing. Perhaps he was sitting there, looking through the evening paper in the vain hope of finding newsof my capture. I could almost see the lines on his forehead and thenervous, jerky way in which he would be biting his fingers--a trick ofhis that had always annoyed me intensely. He would bite harder thanever if he only knew that I was standing outside in the darkness notmore than twenty yards away from him!

I waited for a little while in the hope that he might come to thewindow, but this luxury was denied me. 

"Good-night, George, " I said softly; "we'll meet in the morning, " andthen, with a last affectionate look at the lighted blind, I continuedmy way along the embankment. 

I was not sure which turning I ought to take for Edith Terrace, but anobliging policeman who was on duty outside the Tate Gallery put me onthe right track. There was something delicately pleasing to my senseof humour in appealing to a constable, and altogether it was in amost contented frame of mind that I inserted my latch-key into Mrs. Oldbury's door and let myself into the house. My first day's holidayseemed to me to have been quite a success. 

CHAPTER X

MADEMOISELLE VIVIEN, PALMIST

I woke next morning at seven, or perhaps I should say I was awakenedby Gertie 'Uggins, who to judge from the noise was apparently engagedin wrecking the sitting-room. I looked at my watch, and then halloedto her through the door. The tumult ceased, and a head, elaboratelyfestooned with curl-papers, was inserted into the room. 

"Yer want yer barf?" it asked. 

"I do, Gertrude, " I said; "and after that I want my breakfast. I havea lot to do today. "

The head withdrew itself, tittering; and a moment later I heard ashrill voice calling down the kitchen stairs. 

"Grahnd floor wants 'is 'ot water quick. "

Within about five minutes the ground floor's wish was gratified, Mrs. Oldbury herself arriving with a large steaming can which she placedinside a hip bath. She asked me in a mournful voice whether I thoughtI could eat some eggs and bacon, and having received a favourablereply left me to my toilet. 

It was about a quarter to eight when I sat down to breakfast. Considering that for three years I had been obliged to riseat painfully unseasonable hours, this may appear to have beenunnecessarily energetic, but as a matter of fact I was not actingwithout good reasons. 

To start with, it was my purpose to spend a pleasant morning withGeorge. I wanted to be outside his house so that I could see his facewhen he came out. I felt sure that as long as I was at liberty hewould be looking worried and depressed, and I had no wish to postponemy enjoyment of such a congenial spectacle. 

Then, provided that I could restrain myself from breaking his head, Iintended to follow him to Victoria Street or wherever else he happenedto go. Beyond this I had no plan at the moment, but at the back of mymind there was a curious irrational feeling that sooner or later Ishould stumble across some explanation of the mystery of Marks' death. 

I knew that as a rule George didn't start for business untilnine-thirty or ten. I was anxious to get out of the house as soon aspossible, however, just in case I was correct in my idea that thegentleman with the scar was keeping a kindly eye on my movements. Inthat case I thought that by departing before half-past eight I shouldbe almost certain to forestall him. If, as I believed, he was underthe impression that I had been indulging in a night's dissipation, itwas unlikely that he would credit me with sufficient energy to getup before ten or eleven. As to waiting for George--well, I had noobjection to that. It was a nice sunny morning, and I could buy apaper and sit on one of the embankment seats. 

This, indeed, was exactly what I did. I slipped out of the house asunobtrusively as possible, and, stopping at a little newspaper andtobacco shop round the first corner, invested in a _Telegraph_ and a_Sportsman_. Then, after making sure that I was not being followed, Iset off for the embankment. 

Some of the seats were already occupied by gentlemen and ladies whohad apparently been using them in preference to an hotel, but as luckwould have it the one opposite George's house was empty. I seatedmyself in the corner, and after cutting and lighting a cigar with thecare that such an excellent brand deserved, I prepared to beguile mywait by reading the _D. T_. 

Nothing particularly thrilling seemed to have been happening in theworld, but I can't say I felt any sense of disappointment. Just atpresent my own life afforded me all the excitement my system needed. The only important item of news that I could find was a ratheroffensive speech by the German Chancellor with reference to thedispute with England. It was a surprising utterance for a statesman inhis position, and the _Telegraph_ had improved the occasion by writingone of its longest and stateliest leaders on provocative politicians. 

I had just finished reading this effort when George appeared. He cameout of the front door and down the steps of his house, dressed asusual in a well-fitting frock-coat and tall hat, such as he had alwaysaffected in the old days. I stared at him with a sort of hungrysatisfaction. He looked pale and harassed, and he carried his headbent forward like a man whose mind was unpleasantly preoccupied. Itwarmed my heart to see him. 

When he had gone some little way along the pavement, I got up from myseat and began to keep pace with him on the other side of the roadway. It was easy work, for he walked slowly, and stared at the ground asthough fully taken up with his own thoughts. I was not the leastfrightened of his recognizing me, but as a matter of fact he nevereven looked across in my direction. 

We marched along in this fashion as far as Vauxhall Bridge Road, whereGeorge turned up to the left in the direction of Victoria Street. I walked on a bit, so as to allow him to get about a hundred yardsahead, and then coming back followed in his track. As he drew nearerto the station I began to close up the gap, and all the way alongVictoria Street I was only about ten yards behind him. It wastantalizing work, for he was just the right distance for a runningkick. 

The offices of our firm, which I had originally chosen myself, are onthe first floor, close to the Army and Navy Stores. George turned inat the doorway and went straight up, and for a moment I stood in theentrance, contemplating the big brass plate with "Lyndon and Marwood"on it, and wondering what to do next. It seemed odd to think of allthat had happened since I had last climbed those stairs. 

Exactly across the road was a restaurant. It was new since my time, but I could see that there was a table in the window on the firstfloor, which must command a fair view of the houses opposite, so Idetermined to adopt it as a temporary scouting ground. I walked overand pushed open the swinging doors. Inside was a sleepy-looking waiterin his shirt-sleeves engaged in the leisurely pursuit of rolling upnapkins. 

"Good-morning, " I said; "can I have some coffee and something to eatupstairs?"

He regarded me for a moment with a rather startled air, and thenpulled himself together. 

"Yes, saire. Too early for lunch, saire. 'Am-an'-eggs, saire?"

I nodded. I had had eggs and bacon for breakfast, and on the excellentprinciple of not mixing one's drinks, 'am an'-eggs sounded a mosthappy suggestion. 

"Very well, " I said; "and I wonder if you could let me have such athing as a sheet of paper, and a pen and ink? I want to write a letterafterwards. "

This, I regret to say, was not strictly true, but it seemed to offeran ingenious excuse for occupying the table for some time withoutarousing too much curiosity. 

The waiter expressed himself as being in a position to gratify me, andleaving him hastily donning his coat I marched up the staircase to theroom above. 

When I sat down at the table in the window I found that myexpectations were quite correct. I was looking right across into themain room of our offices, and I could see a couple of clerks workingaway at their desks quite clearly enough to distinguish their faces. They were both strangers to me, but I was not surprised at this. Ialways thought that George had probably sacked most of the old staff, if they had not given him notice on their own account. Of my cousinhimself I could see nothing. He was doubtless either in his ownsanctum, or in the big inner room where I used to work with Watson, myassistant. 

It was of course impossible to eat much of the generous dish of'am-an'-eggs which the waiter brought me up, but I dallied over it aslong as possible, and managed to swallow a cup of rather indifferentcoffee. Then I smoked another cigar, and when the things were clearedaway and the writing materials had arrived, I made a pretence ofbeginning my letter. 

All this time, of course, I was keeping a strict watch across thestreet. Nothing interesting seemed to happen, and I was just beginningto think that I was wasting my time in a rather hopeless fashion whensuddenly I saw George come out of his private office into the mainroom opposite, wearing his hat and carrying an umbrella. He spoke toone of the clerks as though giving him some parting instructions, andwent out, shutting the door behind him. 

I jumped to my feet, and hurrying down the stairs, demanded my billfrom the rather surprised waiter. Considering that I had been sittingupstairs for over an hour and a half, I suppose my haste did appear atrifle unreasonable; anyway he took so long making out the bill thatat last I threw down five shillings and left him at the process. 

Even so, I was only just in time. As I came out into the street Georgeemerged from the doorway opposite. He looked less depressed thanbefore and much more like his usual sleek self, and the sight of himin these apparently recovered spirits whipped up my resentment againto all its old bitterness. 

He set off at a brisk pace in the direction of the Houses ofParliament, and crossing the street I took up a tactful position inhis rear. In this order we proceeded along Whitehall, across TrafalgarSquare, and up Charing Cross Road into Coventry Street. Here Georgestopped for a moment to buy himself a carnation--he had always had ataste for buttonholes--and then resuming our progress, we crossed theCircus, and started off down Piccadilly. 

By this time what is known I believe as "the lust of the chase" hadfairly got hold of me. More strongly than ever I had the feeling thatsomething interesting was going to happen, and when George turned upBond Street I quickened my steps so as to bring me back to my old ifrather tempting position close behind him. 

Quite suddenly in the very narrowest part of the pavement he came to astop, and entered a doorway next to a tobacconist's shop. In acouple of strides I had reached the spot, just in time to see himdisappearing up a winding flight of stone stairs. 

There were two little brass plates at the side of the door, and Iturned to them eagerly to see whom he might be honouring with a visit. One was inscribed "Dr. Rich. Jones, M. D. , " and the other "Mlle. Vivien. "

The moment I read the last name something curiously familiar about itsuddenly struck me. Then in a flash I remembered the pencilled noticeon Tommy's door, and the obliging "Miss Vivien" who was willing toreceive his telegrams. 

The coincidence was a startling one, but I was too anxious to discoverwhat George was doing to waste much time pondering over it. Steppingforward to the foot of the stairs, I peered cautiously up. I could seeby his hand, which was resting on the banisters, that he had passedthe floor above, where the doctor lived, and was half way up the nextflight. Whoever Mlle. Vivien might be, she certainly representedGeorge's destination. 

I retreated to the door, wondering what was the best thing to do. My previous effort in Victoria Street had been so successful thatI instinctively glanced across the street to see whether there wasanother convenient restaurant from which I could repeat my tactics. There wasn't a restaurant but there was something else which waseven better, and that was a small and very respectable-lookingpublic-house. 

If I had to wait, a whisky-and-soda seemed a much more agreeable thingto beguile the time with than a third helping of ham and eggs, socrossing the road with a light heart, I pushed open a door marked"Saloon Bar. " I found myself in a square, comfortably fitted apartmentwhere a genial-looking gentleman was dispensing drinks to a couple ofchauffeurs. 

Along the back of the bar ran a big fitted looking-glass, sloped atan angle which enabled it to reflect the opposite side of the street. This was most convenient, for I could stand at the counter with myback to the window, and yet keep my eye all the time upon the doorwayfrom which George would appear. 

"Good-morning, sir: what can I get you?" inquired the landlordpleasantly. 

"I'll have a whisky-and-soda, thanks, " I said. 

As he turned round to get it a sudden happy idea flashed into my mind. I waited until he had placed the glass on the bar and was pouring outthe soda, and then inquired carelessly:

"You don't happen to know any one of the name of Vivien about here, Isuppose?"

He looked up at once. "Vivien!" he repeated; "well, there's a MamzelleVivien across the road. D'you mean her?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, " I said; then, with a coolnesswhich would have done credit to Ananias, I added: "A friend of minehas picked up a little bag or something with 'Vivien, Bond Street, ' onit. He asked me to see if I could find the owner. "

The landlord nodded his head with interest. "That'll be her, I expect. Mamzelle Vivien the palmist--just across the way. "

"Oh, she's a palmist, is she?" I exclaimed. The thought of Georgeconsulting a palmist was decidedly entertaining. Perhaps he wanted tofind out whether I was likely to wring his neck. 

With a side glance at the chauffeurs, the landlord leaned a littletowards me and slightly lowered his voice. "Well, that's what shecalls 'erself, " he observed. "Palmist and Clairvoyante; and a smartbit o' goods she is too. "

"But I thought the police had stopped that sort of thing, " I said. 

The landlord shook his head. "The police don't interfere with her. She don't advertise or anything like that, and I reckon she has somepretty useful friends. You'd be surprised if I was to tell you some o'the people I seen going in there--Cabinet Ministers and Bishops. "

"It sounds like the Athenaeum Club, " I said. "Do you know what shecharges?"

"No, " he replied; "something pretty stiff I guess. With folks likethat it's a case of make 'ay while the sun shines. "

He was called off at this point to attend to another customer, leavingme to ponder over the information he had given me. I felt that somehowor other I must make Mademoiselle Vivien's acquaintance. A beautifulpalmist, for whom George deserted his business at eleven in themorning, was just the sort of person who might prove extremelyinteresting to me. Besides, the fact that her name was the same asthat of the lady who lived next door to Tommy lent an additional spurto my curiosity. It might be a mere coincidence, but if so it was asufficiently odd one to merit a little further investigation. 

I drank up my whisky, and after waiting a minute or two, orderedanother. I had just got this and was taking my first sip, when quitesuddenly I saw in the mirror the reflection of George emerging fromthe doorway opposite. 

I didn't stop to finish my drink. I put down the tumbler, and noddingto the landlord walked straight out into the street. The pavement wasthronged with the usual midday crowd, but pushing my way through Idodged across the road and reached the opposite side-walk just intime to see George stepping into a taxi a few yards farther down thestreet. 

I was not close enough to overhear the directions which he gave to thedriver, but unless his habits had changed considerably the chanceswere that he was off to lunch at his club. Anyhow I felt prettycertain that I could pick up his trail again later on at the office ifI wanted to. For the moment I had other plans; it was my intentionto follow George's example and pay a short call upon "MademoiselleVivien. "

I walked back, and throwing away the end of my cigar, entered thedoorway again and started off up the stairs. I imagined that by goingas an ordinary client I should find no difficulty in getting admitted, but if I did I was fully prepared to bribe or bluff, or adopt anymethod that might be necessary to achieve my purpose. I would notleave until I had at least seen the gifted object of George's middayrambles. 

I reached the second landing, where I was faced by a green door with aquaintly carved electric bell in the shape of an Egyptian girl's head, a red stone in the centre of the forehead forming what appeared to bethe button. Anyhow I pressed it and waited, and a moment later thedoor swung silently open. A small but very alert page-boy who lookedlike an Italian was standing on the mat. 

"Is Mademoiselle at home?" I inquired. 

He looked me up and down sharply. "Have you an appointment, sir?"

"No, " I said, "but will you be good enough to ask whether I cansee her? My name is Mr. James Nicholson. I wish to consult herprofessionally. "

"If you will step in here, sir, I will inquire. Mademoiselle veryseldom sees any one without an appointment. "

He opened a door on the right and ushered me into a smallsitting-room, the chief furniture of which appeared to be a couch, oneor two magnificent bowls of growing tulips and hyacinths, and an oakshelf which ran the whole length of the room and was crowded withbooks. 

While the boy was away I amused myself by examining the titles. Therewere a number of volumes on palmistry and on various branches ofoccultism, interspersed with several books of poetry and such unlikelyworks as _My Prison Life_, by Jabez Balfour, and Melville Lee'swell-known _History of Police_. 

It gave me rather an uncanny feeling for the moment to be confrontedby the two latter, and I was just wondering whether a Bond Streetpalmist's cliéntčle made such works of reference necessary, when thedoor opened and the page-boy reappeared. 

"If you will kindly come this way, sir, Mademoiselle will see you, " heannounced. 

I followed him down the passage and into another room hung with heavycurtains that completely shut out the daylight. A small rose-colouredlamp burning away steadily in the corner threw a warm glow overeverything, and lit up the low table of green stone in the centre, onwhich rested a large crystal ball in a metal frame. Except for twocuriously carved chairs, there was no other furniture in the room. 

Closing the door noiselessly behind him, the boy went out again. Istood there for a little while looking about me; then pulling upa chair I was just sitting down when a slight sound attracted myattention. A moment later a curtain at the end of the room was drawnslowly aside, and there, standing in the gap, I saw the slim figure ofa girl, dressed in a kind of long dark Eastern tunic. 

I jumped to my feet, and as I did so an exclamation of amazement brokeinvoluntarily from my lips. For an instant I remained quite still, clutching the back of the chair and staring like a man in a trance. Unless I was mad the girl in front of me was Joyce. 

CHAPTER XI

BRIDGING THREE YEARS OF SEPARATION

It was the unexpectedness of the thing that threw me off my guard. With a savage effort I recovered myself almost at once, but it was toolate to be of any use. At the sound of my voice all the colour hadleft Joyce's face. Her hands went up to her breast, and with a low cryshe stepped forward and then stood there white and swaying, gazing atme with wide-open, half-incredulous eyes. 

"My God!" she whispered; "it's you--Neil!"

I think she would have fallen, but I came to her side, and putting myarm round her shoulders gently forced her into one of the chairs. ThenI knelt in front of her and took her hands in mine. I saw it was nogood trying to deceive her. 

"I didn't know, " I said simply; "I followed George here. "

"What have they done to you?" she moaned. "What have they done to you, my Neil? And your hands--oh, your poor dear hands!"

She burst out crying, and bending down pressed her face against myfingers. 

"Don't, Joyce, " I said, a little roughly. "For God's sake don't dothat. "

Half unconsciously I pulled away my hands, which three years inDartmoor had certainly done nothing to improve. 

My abrupt action seemed to bring Joyce to herself. She left offsobbing, and with a sudden hurried glance round the room jumped upfrom her chair. 

"I must speak to Jack--now at once, " she whispered. "He mustn't letany one else into the flat. "

She stopped for a moment to dry her eyes, which were still wet withtears, and then walking quickly to the door disappeared into thepassage. She was only gone for a few seconds. I just had time to getto my feet when she came back into the room, and shutting the doorbehind her, turned the key in the lock. Then with a little gaspshe leaned against the wall. For the first time I realized what anamazingly beautiful girl she had grown into. 

"Neil, Neil, " she said, stretching out her hands; "is it really you!"

I came across, and taking her in my arms very gently kissed herforehead. 

"My little Joyce, " I said. "My dear, brave little Joyce. "

She buried her face in my coat, and I felt her hand moving up and downmy sleeve. 

"Oh, " she sobbed, "if I had only known where to find you before! Eversince you escaped I have been hoping and longing that you would cometo me. " Then she half pushed me back, and gazed up into my face withher blue, tear-stained eyes. "Where have you been? What have they doneto you? Oh, tell me--tell me, Neil. It's breaking my heart to see youso different. "

For a moment I hesitated. I would have given much if I could haveundone the work of the last few minutes, for even to be revenged onGeorge I would not willingly have brought my wretched troubles anddangers into Joyce's life. Now that I had done so, however, thereseemed to be no other course except to tell her the truth. It wasimpossible to leave her in her present agony of bewilderment anddoubt. 

Pulling up one of the chairs I sat down, drawing her on to my knee. 

"If I had known it was you, Joyce, " I said, "I should have let Georgego to the devil before I followed him here. "

"But why?" she asked. "Where should you go to if you didn't come tome?"

"Oh, my poor Joyce, " I said bitterly; "haven't I brought enoughtroubles and horrors into your life already?"

She interrupted me with a low, passionate cry. "_You_ talk likethat! You, who have lost everything for my wretched sake! Can't youunderstand that every day and night since you went to prison I'veloathed and hated myself for ever telling you anything about it? IfI'd dreamed what was going to happen I'd have let Marks--"

I stopped her by crushing her in my arms, and for a little while sheremained there sobbing bitterly, her cheek resting on my shoulder. Fora moment or two I didn't feel exactly like talking myself. 

Indeed it was Joyce who spoke first. Raising her head she wiped awayher tears, and then sitting up gazed long and searchingly into myface. 

"There is nothing of you left, " she said, "nothing except youreyes--your dear, splendid eyes. I think I should have known you bythose even if you hadn't spoken. " Then, taking my hands again andpressing them to her, she added passionately: "Oh, tell me what itmeans, Neil. Tell me everything that's happened to you from the momentyou got away. "

"Very well, " I said recklessly: "I shall be dragging you into allsorts of dangers, and I shall be breaking my oath to McMurtrie, butafter all that's just the sort of thing one would expect from anescaped convict. "

Step by step, from the moment when I had jumped over the wall into theplantation, I told her the whole astounding story. She listened to mein silence, her face alone betraying the feverish interest with whichshe was following every word. When I came to the part about Soniakissing me (I told her everything just as it had happened) her handstightened a little on mine, but except for that one movement sheremained absolutely still. 

It was not until I had finished speaking that she made her firstcomment. After I stopped she sat on for a moment just as she was; andthen quite suddenly her face lighted up, and with a little low laughthat was half a sob she leaned forward and slid her arm round my neck. 

"Tommy was right, " she whispered. "He said you'd do somethingwonderful. I knew it too, but oh, Neil dear, I've suffered tortureswondering where you were and what had happened. "

Then, sitting up again and pushing back her hair, she began to ask mequestions. 

"These people--Dr. McMurtrie and the others--do you believe theirstory?"

"No, " I said bluntly. "I am quite certain they were lying to me. "

"Why should they have helped you, then?"

"I haven't the remotest idea, " I admitted. "I am only quite sure thatneither McMurtrie nor Savaroff are what they pretend to be. Besides, you remember the hints that Sonia gave me. "

"Ah, Sonia!" Joyce looked down and played with one of the buttons ofmy coat. "Is she--is she very pretty?" she asked. 

"She seems likely to be very useful, " I said. Then, stroking Joyce'ssoft curly hair, which had become all tousled against my shoulder, Iadded: "But I'm answering questions when all the time I'm dying to askthem. There are a hundred things you've got to tell me. What are youdoing here? Why do you call yourself Miss Vivien? Are you reallyliving next door to Tommy? And George--how on earth do you come to bemixed up with George?"

"I'll tell you everything, " she said, "only I must know all about youfirst. Why were you following George? You don't mean to let him knowwho you are? Oh, Neil, Neil, promise me that you won't do that. "

"Joyce, " I said slowly, "I want to find out who killed Seton Marks. Idon't suppose there is the least chance of my doing so, and if I can'tI most certainly mean to wring George's neck. That was chiefly what Ibroke out of prison for. "

"Yes, yes, " she said feverishly, "but there _is_ a chance. You'llunderstand when I've explained. " She put her hands to her forehead. "Oh, I hardly know where to begin. "

"Begin anywhere, " I said. "Tell me why you're pretending to be apalmist. "

She got up from my knee and, walking slowly to the table, seatedherself on the end. 

"I wanted money, " she said; "and I wanted to meet one or two peoplewho might be useful about you. "

"But I left eight hundred pounds for you with Tommy, " I exclaimed. "You got that?"

She nodded. "It's in the bank now. I have been keeping it in caseanything happened. You don't suppose I was going to spend it? Howcould I have helped you then even when I got the chance?"

"But, my dear Joyce, " I protested, "the money was for you. And youcouldn't have helped me with it in any case. I had plenty more waitingfor me when my sentence was out. "

"When your sentence was out, " repeated Joyce fiercely. "Do you thinkI was going to let you stop in prison till then!" She checked herselfwith an effort. "I had better tell you everything from the beginning, "she said. "I couldn't write any more to you, because I was onlyallowed to send the two letters, and I knew both of them would be readby somebody. "

She paused a moment. 

"I went away after the trial. I was very ill, and Tommy took me to alittle place called Looe, down in Cornwall. We stayed there nearly sixmonths. When I came back I took the flat next to him and called myselfMiss Vivien. I had made up my mind then what I was going to do. Yousee there were only two possible ways in which I could help you. Onewas to find out who killed Marks, and the other was to get you out ofprison--anyhow. Of course, after the trial, it seemed madness to thinkabout the first, but then I just had three things to go on. I knewthat you were innocent, I knew that for some reason of his own Georgehad lied about you, and I knew that there had been some one else inthe flat the day of the murder. "

"The man who was with Marks when you arrived, " I said. "But you sawhim go away, and there was nothing to connect him with the murder, except the fact that he didn't turn up at the trial. Sexton himselfhad to admit that in his speech. "

"There was his face, " said Joyce quietly. "It was a dreadful face. Itlooked as if all the goodness had been burned out of it. "

"There are about five hundred gentlemen like that in Princetown, "I said, "including several of the warders. Did they ever find outanything about him?"

Joyce shook her head. "Mr. Sexton did everything he could, but it wasquite useless. Whoever he was, the man never came forward, and yousee there was no one except me who even knew what he was like. It waspartly that which first gave me the idea of becoming a palmist. Ithought that up here in the West End I was more likely to come acrosshim than anywhere else. And then there were other people I meant tomeet--men in the Government who might be able to get your sentenceshortened. I knew I was beautiful, and with some men you can doanything if you're beautiful, and--and you don't care. "

"Joyce!" I cried, "for God's sake don't tell me--"

"No, " she broke in passionately: "there's nothing to tell you. But ifthe chance had come I'd have sold myself a thousand times over to getyou out of prison. The only man I've met who could do anything hasbeen Lord Lammersfield, and he.... " She paused, then with a littlebreak in her voice she added: "Well, I think Lord Lammersfield israther like Tommy in some ways. "

"I suppose there are still one or two white men about, " I said. 

"Lord Lammersfield used to be at the Home Office once, so of coursehis influence would count for a great deal. Well, he did all that waspossible for me, but about six months ago he told me that there was nochance of your being let out for another three years. It was then thatI made up my mind to get to know George. "

I thrust my hand in my pocket and pulled out my cigarette case. "You--you've got rather thorough ideas about friendship, Joyce, " Isaid, a little unsteadily. "Can I smoke?"

She picked up a box of matches from the table, and coming acrossseated herself on the arm of my chair. 

"Have I?" she said simply. "Well, you taught me them. "

She struck a match and held it to my cigarette. 

"How did you manage it?" I asked. 

"Oh, it was easy enough. I asked Lord Lammersfield to bring him hereone day. You know what George is like; he would never refuse to doanything a Cabinet Minister suggested. Of course he had no idea who Iwas until he arrived. "

"It must have been quite a pleasant surprise for him, " I said grimly. "Did he recognize you at once?"

Joyce shook her head. "He had only seen me at the trial, and I had myhair down then. Besides, two years make a lot of difference. "

"They've made a lot of difference in you, " I said. "They've turned youfrom a pretty child into a beautiful woman. "

With a little low, contented laugh Joyce again laid her head on myshoulder. "I think, " she said, "that that's the only one of George'sopinions I'd like you to share. "

There was a moment's silence. Then I gently twisted one of her loosecurls round my finger. 

"My poor Joyce, " I said, "you seem to have been wading in someremarkably unpleasant waters for my sake. "

She shivered slightly. "Oh, it was hateful in a way, but I didn'tcare. I knew George was hiding something that might help to get youout of prison, and what did my feelings matter compared with that!Besides--" she smiled mockingly--"for all his cleverness and hiswickedness George is a fool--just the usual vain fool that most menare about women. It's been easy enough to manage him. "

"He knows who you are now, of course?" I said. 

She nodded. "I told him. He would have been almost certain to findout, and then he would probably have been suspicious. As it is hethinks our meeting was just pure chance. "

"But surely, " I objected, "he must have guessed you were on my side?"

She gave a short, bitter laugh. "Yes, " she said, "he guessed that allright. It's what he calls 'a sacred bond between us. ' There are times, you know, when George is almost funny. "

"There are times, " I said, "when he must make Judas Iscariot feelsick. "

"I sometimes wonder why I haven't killed him, " she went on slowly. "Ithink I should have if he had ever tried to kiss me. As it is--"she laughed again in the same way--"as it is we are becoming greatfriends. He is taking me out to dinner at the Savoy tonight. "

"But if he doesn't try to make love to you--" I began. 

"Oh!" she said, with a little shrug of her shoulders, "that's coming. At present he imagines that he is being clever and diplomatic. Alsothere's a business side to the matter. "

"Yes, " I said; "there would be with George. "

"He's horribly frightened of you. Of course he tries to hide it fromme, but I can see that ever since you escaped from prison he has beenliving in a state of absolute terror. His one idea at present is afrantic hope that you will be recaptured. That's partly where I comein. "

"You?" I repeated. 

"Yes. He thinks that sooner or later, when you want help, you willprobably write and tell me where you are. "

"And then you are to pass the good news on to him?"

She nodded. "He says that if I let him know at once, he will arrangeto get you safely out of the country. "

I lay back in the chair and laughed out loud. 

Joyce, who was still sitting on the arm, looked down happily into myface. "Oh, " she said, "I love to hear you laugh again. " Then, slippingher hand into mine, she went on: "I suppose he means to arrange it sothat it will look as if you had been caught by accident while he wastrying to help you. "

"I expect so, " I said. "I should be out of the way again then, and youwould be so overcome by gratitude--Oh, yes, there's quite a Georgiantouch about it. "

The sharp tinkle of an electric bell broke in on our conversation. Joyce jumped up from the chair, and for a moment both remainedlistening while "Jack" answered the door. 

"I know who it is, " whispered Joyce. "It's old Lady Mortimer. She hadan appointment for one o'clock. "

"But what have you arranged to do?" I asked. "There's no reason youshould put all your people off. I can go away for the time, or stop inanother room, or something. "

"No, no; it's all right, " whispered Joyce. "I'll tell you in aminute. "

She waited until we heard the front door shut, and then coming back tome sat down again on my knee. 

"I told Jack, " she said, "not to let any one into the flat till threeo'clock. I have an appointment then I ought to keep, but that stillgives us nearly two hours. I will send Jack across to Stewart's tofetch us some lunch, and we'll have it in here. What would you like, my Neil?"

"Anything but eggs and bacon, " I said, getting out another cigarette. 

She jumped up with a laugh, and, after striking me a match, went outinto the passage, leaving the door open. I heard her call the page-boyand give him some instructions, and then she came back into the room, her eyes dancing with happiness and excitement. 

"Isn't this splendid!" she exclaimed. "Only this morning I was utterlymiserable wondering if you were dead, and here we are having lunchtogether just like the old days in Chelsea. "

"Except for your hair, Joyce, " I said. "Don't you remember how it wasalways getting in your eyes?"

"Oh, that!" she cried; "that's easily altered. "

She put up her hands, and hastily pulled out two or three hairpins. Then she shook her head, and in a moment a bronze mane was ripplingdown over her shoulders exactly as it used to in the old days. 

"I wish I could do something like that, " I said ruefully. "I'm afraidmy changes are more permanent. "

Joyce came up and thrust her arm into mine. "My poor dear, " she said, pressing it to her. "Never mind; you look splendid as you are. "

"Won't your boy think there's something odd in our lunching togetherlike this?" I asked. "He seems a pretty acute sort of youth. "

"Jack?" she said. "Oh, Jack's all right. He was a model in Chelsea. Itook him away from his uncle, who used to beat him with a poker. Hedoesn't know anything about you, but if he did he would die for youcheerfully. He's by way of being rather grateful to me. "

"You always inspired devotion, Joyce, " I said, smiling. "Do youremember how Tommy and I used to squabble as to which of us shouldeventually adopt you?"

She nodded, almost gravely; then with a sudden change back to herformer manner, she made a step towards the inner room, pulling meafter her. 

"Come along, " she said. "We'll lunch in there. It's more cheerful thanthis, and anyway I want to see you in the daylight. "

I followed her in through the curtains, and found myself in a small, narrow room with a window which looked out on the back of BurlingtonArcade. A couple of chairs, a black oak gate-legged table, and alittle green sofa made up the furniture. 

Joyce took me to the window, and still holding my arm, made a secondand even longer inspection of McMurtrie's handiwork. 

"It's wonderful, Neil, " she said at last. "You look fifteen yearsolder and absolutely different. No one could possibly recognize youexcept by the way you speak. "

"I've been practising that, " I said, altering my voice. "I shouldn'thave given myself away if you hadn't taken me by surprise. "

She smiled again happily. "It's so good to feel that you're safe, evenif it's only for a few days. " Then, letting go my arm, she crossed tothe sofa. "Come and sit down, " she went on. "We've got to decide allsorts of things, and we shan't have too much time. "

"I've told you my plans, Joyce, " I said, "such as they are. I mean togo through with this business of McMurtrie's, though I'm sure there'ssomething crooked at the bottom of it. As for the rest--" I shruggedmy shoulders and sat down on the sofa beside her; "well, I've got thesort of hand one has to play alone. "

Joyce looked at me quietly and steadily. 

"Neil, " she said; "do you remember that you once called me the mostpig-headed infant in Chelsea?"

"Did I?" I said. "That was rather rude. "

"It was rather right, " she answered calmly; "and I haven't changed, Neil. If you think Tommy and I are going to let you play this handalone, as you call it, you are utterly and absolutely wrong. "

"Do you know what the penalties are for helping an escaped convict?" Iasked. 

She laughed contemptuously. "Listen, Neil. For three years Tommy and Ihave had no other idea except to get you out of prison. Is it likelywe should leave you now?"

"But what can you do, Joyce?" I objected. "You'll only be runningyourselves into danger, and--"

"Oh, Neil dear, " she interrupted; "it's no good arguing about it. Wemean to help you, and you'll have to let us. "

"But suppose I refuse?" I said. 

"Then as soon as Tommy comes back tomorrow I shall tell him everythingthat you've told me. I know your address at Pimlico, and I know justabout where your hut will be down the Thames. If you think Tommy willrest for a minute till he's found you, you must have forgotten a lotabout him in the last three years. "

She spoke with a kind of indignant energy, and there was an obstinatelook in her blue eyes, which showed me plainly that it would be wasteof time trying to reason with her. 

I reflected quickly. Perhaps after all it would be best for me to seeTommy myself. He at least would appreciate the danger of draggingJoyce into the business, and between us we might be able to persuadeher that I was right. 

"Well, what are your ideas, Joyce?" I said. "Except for keeping my eyeon George I had no particular plan until I heard from McMurtrie. "

Joyce laid her hand on my sleeve. "Tomorrow, " she said, "you must goand see Tommy. He is coming back by the midday train, and he will getto the flat about two o'clock. Tell him everything that you have toldme. I shan't be able to get away from here till the evening, but Ishall be free then, and we three will talk the whole thing over. Ishan't make any more appointments here after tomorrow. "

"Very well, " I said reluctantly. "I will go and look up Tommy, butI can't see that it will do any good. I am only making you and himliable to eighteen months' hard labour. " She was going to speak, butI went on. "Don't you see, Joyce dear, there are only two possiblecourses open to me? I can either wait and carry out my agreement withMcMurtrie, or I can go down to Chelsea and force the truth aboutMarks's death out of George--if he really knows it. Dragging you twointo my wretched affairs won't alter them at all. "

"Yes, it will, " she said obstinately. "There are lots of ways in whichwe can help you. Suppose these people turn out wrong, for instance;they might even mean to give you up to the police as soon as they'vegot your secret. And then there's George. If he does know anythingabout the murder I'm the only person who is the least likely to findit out. Why--"

A discreet knock at the outer door interrupted her, and she got upfrom the sofa. 

"That's Jack with the lunch, " she said. "Come along, Neil dear. Wewon't argue about it any more now. Let's forget everything for anhour, --just be happy together as if we were back in Chelsea. "

She held out her hands to me, her lips smiling, her blue eyes just onthe verge of tears. I drew her towards me and gently stroked her hair, as I used to do in the old days in Chelsea when she had come to mewith some of her childish troubles. I felt an utter brute to thinkthat I could ever have doubted her loyalty, even for an instant. 

How long we kept the luckless Jack waiting on the mat I can't say, but at last Joyce detached herself, and crossing the room, opened thedoor. Jack came in carrying a basket in one hand and a table-cloth inthe other. If he felt any surprise at finding Joyce with her hair downhe certainly didn't betray it. 

"I got what I could, Mademoiselle, " he observed, putting down hisburdens. "Oyster patties, galatine, cheese-cakes, and a bottle ofchampagne. I hope that will please Mademoiselle?"

"It sounds distinctly pleasing, Jack, " said Joyce gravely. "But thenyou always do just what I want. "

The boy flushed with pleasure, and began to lay the table without evenso much as bestowing a glance on me. It was easy enough to see that headored his young mistress--adored her far beyond questioning any ofher actions. 

All through lunch--and an excellent lunch it was too--Joyce and I wereridiculously happy. Somehow or other we seemed to drop straight backinto our former jolly relations, and for the time I almost forgot thatthey had ever been interrupted. In spite of all she had been throughsince, Joyce, at the bottom of her heart, was just the same as she hadbeen in the old days--impulsive, joyous, and utterly unaffected. Allher bitterness and sadness seemed to slip away with her grown-upmanner; and catching her infectious happiness, I too laughed and jokedand talked as cheerfully and unconcernedly as though we were in truthback in Chelsea with no hideous shadow hanging over our lives. I evenfound myself telling her stories about the prison, and making fun ofone of the chaplain's sermons on the beauties of justice. At the timeI remembered it had filled me with nothing but a morose fury. 

It was the little clock on the mantlepiece striking a quarter to threewhich brought us back to the realities of the present. 

"I must go, Joyce, " I said reluctantly, "or I shall be running intosome of your Duchesses. "

She nodded. "And I've got to do my hair by three, and turn myself backfrom Joyce into Mademoiselle Vivien--if I can. Oh, Neil, Neil; it's afunny, mad world, isn't it!" She lifted up my hand and moved it softlybackwards and forwards against her lips. Then, suddenly jumping up, she went into the next room, and came back with my hat and stick. 

"Here are your dear things, " she said; "and I shall see you tomorrowevening at Tommy's. I shan't leave him a note--somebody might open it;I shall just let you go and find him yourself. Oh, I should love to bethere when he realizes who it is. "

"I know just what he'll do, " I said. "He'll stare at me for a minute;then he'll say quite quietly, 'Well, I'm damned, ' and go and pourhimself out a whisky. "

She laughed gaily. "Yes, yes, " she said. "That's exactly what willhappen. " Then with a little change in her voice she added: "And youwill be careful, won't you, Neil? I know you're quite safe; no onecan possibly recognize you; but I'm frightened all the same--horriblyfrightened. Isn't it silly of me?"

I kissed her tenderly. "My Joyce, " I said, "I think you have got thebravest heart in the whole world. "

And with this true if rather inadequate remark I left her. 

I had plenty to think about during my walk back to Victoria. Exactlywhat result the sharing of my secret with Tommy and Joyce would have, it was difficult to forecast, but it opened up a disquieting field ofpossibilities. Rather than get either of them into trouble I wouldcheerfully have thrown myself in front of the next motor bus, but ifsuch an extreme course could be avoided I certainly had no wish toend my life in that or any other abrupt fashion until I had had thesatisfaction of a few minutes' quiet conversation with George. 

I blamed myself to a certain extent for having given way to Joyce. Still, I knew her well enough to be sure that if I had persisted inmy refusal she would have stuck to her intention of trying to help meagainst my will. That would only have made matters more dangerous forall of us, so on the whole it was perhaps best that I should go andsee Tommy. I had not the fainest doubt he would be anxious enough tohelp me himself if I would let him, but he would at least see thenecessity for keeping Joyce out of the affair. We ought to be able tomanage her between us, though when I remembered the obstinate look inher eyes I realized that it wouldn't be exactly a simple matter. 

I stopped at a book-shop just outside Victoria, which I had noticed onthe previous evening. I wanted to order a copy of a book dealingwith a certain branch of high explosives that I had forgotten to askMcMurtrie for, and when I had done that I took the opportunity ofbuying a couple of novels by Wells which had been published since Iwent to prison. Wells was a luxury which the prison library didn't runto. 

With these tucked under my arm, and still pondering over theunexpected results of my chase after George, I continued my walk toEdith Terrace. As I reached the house and thrust my key into thelock the door suddenly opened from the inside, and I found myselfconfronted by the apparently rather embarrassed figure of Miss Gertie'Uggins. 

"I 'eard you a-comin', " she observed, rubbing one hand down her leg, "so I opened the door like. "

"That was very charming of you, Gertrude, " I said gravely. 

She tittered, and then began to retreat slowly backwards down thepassage. "There's a letter for you in the sittin'-room. Come by thepost after you'd gorn. Yer want some tea?"

"I don't mind a cup, " I said. "I've been eating and drinking all day;it seems a pity to give it up now. "

"I'll mike yer one, " she remarked, nodding her head. "Mrs. Oldbury'sgorn out shoppin'. "

She disappeared down the kitchen stairs, and opening the door of myroom I discovered the letter she had referred to stuck up on themantelpiece. I took it down with some curiosity. It was addressed toJames Nicholson, Esq. , and stamped with the Strand postmark. I did notrecognize the writing, but common-sense told me that it could only befrom McMurtrie or one of his crowd. 

When I opened the envelope I found that it contained a half-sheetof note-paper, with the following words written in a sloping, foreign-looking hand:

"You will receive either a message or a visitor at five o'clocktomorrow afternoon. Kindly make it convenient to be at home at thathour. "

That was all. There was no signature and no address, and it struckme that as an example of polite letter-writing it certainly leftsomething to be desired. Still, the message was clear enough, whichwas the chief point, so, folding it up, I thrust it back into theenvelope and put it away in my pocket. After all, one can't expect areally graceful literary style from a High Explosives Syndicate. 

I wondered whether the note meant that the preparations which werebeing made for me at Tilbury were finally completed. McMurtrie hadpromised me a week in Town, and so far I had only had two days; stillI was hardly in a position to kick if he asked me to go down earlier. Anyhow I should know the next day, so there seemed no use in worryingmyself about it unnecessarily. 

It was my intention to spend a quiet interval reading one of my books, before going out somewhere to get some dinner. In pursuance of thisplan I exchanged my boots for a pair of slippers and settled myselfdown comfortably in the only easy-chair in the room. In about tenminutes' time, faithful to her word, Gertie 'Uggins brought me upan excellent cup of tea, and stimulated by this and the combinedintelligence and amorousness of Mr. Wells's hero, I succeeded inpassing two or three very agreeable hours. 

At seven o'clock I roused myself rather reluctantly, put on my bootsagain, and indulged in the luxury of a wash and a clean collar. Then, after ringing the bell and informing Mrs. Oldbury that I should be outto dinner, I left the house with the pleasantly vague intention ofwandering up West until I found some really attractive restaurant. 

It was a beautiful evening, more like June than the end of April; andwith a cigarette alight, I strolled slowly along Victoria Street, mymind busy over the various problems with which Providence had seen fitto surround me. I had got nearly as far as the Stores, when a suddenimpulse took me to cross over and walk past our offices. A taxi wascoming up the road, so I waited for a moment on the pavement untilit had passed. The back part of the vehicle was open, and as it cameopposite to me, the light from one of the big electric standards fellclear on the face of the man inside. He was sitting bolt upright, looking straight out ahead, but in spite of his opera hat and hisevening dress I recognized him at once. It was the man with thescar--the man I had imagined to be tracking me on the previousevening. 

CHAPTER XII

A SCRIBBLED WARNING

I have never been slow to act in moments of sudden emergency, and inrather less than a second I had made up my mind. The mere ideaof stalking one's own shadower was a distinctly attractive one;surrounded as I was by a baffling sense of mystery and danger I jumpedat the chance with an almost reckless enthusiasm. 

Coming up behind was another taxi--an empty one, the driver leaningback in his seat puffing lazily at a pipe. I stepped out into the roadand signalled to him to pull up. 

"Follow that taxi in front, " I said quickly. "If you keep it in sighttill it stops I'll give you five shillings for yourself. "

All the languor disappeared from the driver's face. Hastily knockingout his pipe, he stuffed it into his pocket, and the next moment wewere bowling up Victoria Street hard on the track of our quarry. 

I sat back in the seat, filled with a pleasant exhilaration. Of courseit was just possible that I was making a fool of myself--that thegentleman in front was as innocent of having spied on my movements asthe Bishop of London. Still if that were the case there could be noharm in following him, while if he were really one of McMurtrie'sfriends a closer acquaintance with his methods of spending the eveningseemed eminently desirable. 

Half way along Whitehall my driver quickened his pace until we wereonly a few yards behind the other taxi. I was just going to cautionhim not to get too near, when I realized that unless we hung on asclose as possible we should probably lose it in the traffic at thecorner of the Strand. The soundness of this reasoning was apparent amoment later, when we only just succeeded in following it across theSquare before a policeman's hand peremptorily barred the way. 

Past the Garrick Theatre, across Long Acre, and up Charing Cross Roadthe chase continued with unabated vigour. At the Palace the otherdriver turned off sharp to the left, and running a little way alongOld Compton Street came to a halt outside Parelli's, the well-knownrestaurant. As he began to slow down I picked up the speaking tube andinstructed my man to go straight past on the other side of the street, an order which he promptly obeyed without changing his pace. I didn'tmake the mistake of looking round. I just sat still in my seat untilwe had covered another thirty yards or so, and then gave the signal tostop. 

The driver, who seemed to have entered thoroughly into the spirit ofthe affair, at once clambered out of his seat and came round as thoughto open the door. 

"Gent's standin' on the pavement payin' 'is fare, sir, " he observed ina hoarse whisper. "Thought ye might like to know before ye gets out. "

"Thanks, " I said; "I'll take the chance of lighting a cigarette. "

I was about to suit the action to the word, when with a suddenexclamation the man again interrupted me. 

"There's another gent just come up in a taxi, sir--proper toff toofrom 'is looks. 'E's shakin' 'ands with our bloke. "

"Is he an old man?" I asked quickly--"an old man with glasses?"

"'E don't look very old, but 'e's got a glass right enough--leastwaysone o' them bow-winder things in 'is eye. " He paused. "They've goneinside now, Guv'nor; they won't spot ye if you want to 'op it. "

He opened the door, and stepping out on to the pavement I handed himhalf a sovereign, which I was holding in readiness. 

He touched his cap. "Thank ye, sir. Thank ye very much. " Then, fumbling in his pocket, he produced a rather dirty and crumpled card. "I don't rightly know what the game is, Guv'nor, " he went on in alowered tone, "but if you should 'appen to want to call on me forevidence any time, Martyn's Garridge, Walham Green, 'll always findme. Ye only need to ask for Dick 'Arris. They all knows me roundthere. "

I accepted the card, and having assured Mr. Harris that in the eventof my needing his testimony I would certainly look him up, I litmy delayed cigarette and started to stroll back towards Parelli's. Whoever my original friend and his pal with the eyeglass might be, Iwas anxious to give them a few minutes' law before thrusting myselfupon their society. I had known Parelli's well in the old days, andremembering the numerous looking-glasses which decorated its walls, Ithought it probable that I should be able to find some obscure seat, from which I could obtain a view of their table without being tooconspicuous myself. Still, it seemed advisable to give them time tosettle down to dinner first, so, stopping at a newspaper shop at thecorner, I spun out another minute or two in buying myself a copy of_La Vie Parisienne_ and the latest edition of the _Pall Mall_. Withthese under my arm and a pleasant little tingle of excitement in myheart I walked up to the door of the restaurant, which a uniformedporter immediately swung open. 

I found myself in a brightly lit passage, inhabited by a couple ofwaiters, one of whom came forward to take my hat and stick. The otherpushed back the glass door which led into the restaurant, and thenstood there bowing politely and waiting for me to pass. 

I stopped for a moment on the threshold, and cast a swift glance roundthe room. It was a large, low-ceilinged apartment, broken up by squarepillars, but as luck would have it I spotted my two men at the veryfirst attempt. They were sitting at a table in one of the farthercorners, and they seemed to be so interested in each other's companythat neither of them had even looked up at my entrance. 

I didn't wait for them to do it either. Quickly and unobtrusively Iwalked to the corner table on the left of the floor, and sat down withmy back towards them. I was facing a large mirror which reflected theother side of the room with admirable clearness. 

A waiter handed me the menu, and after I had ordered a light dinner Ispread out _La Vie Parisienne_ on the table, and bending over it madea pretence of admiring its drawings. As a matter of fact I kept myentire attention focused on the looking-glass. 

I could only see the back of the man with the scar, but the face ofhis companion, who was sitting sideways on, was very plainlyvisible. It was a striking-looking face, too. He seemed to be aboutthirty-five--a tall, clean-shaven, powerfully built man, with brightblue eyes and a chin like the toe of a boot. His hair was prematurelygrey, and this, together with the monocle that he was wearing, gavehim a curious air of distinction. He looked like a cross between asuccessful barrister and a retired prize-fighter. 

I watched him with considerable interest. If he was another ofMcMurtrie's mysterious circle, I certainly preferred him to any of theones I had previously come across. His face, though strong and hard, had none of Savaroff's brutality in it, and he was quite lacking inthat air of sinister malevolence that seemed to hang about the doctor. 

As far as I could see, most of the talking was being done by the manwith the scar. He also appeared to be the host, for I saw him pickup the wine list, and after consulting his companion's taste give acarefully selected order to the waiter. Then my own dinner began toarrive, and putting aside _La Vie_, I propped up the _Pall Mall_ infront of me and started to attack the soup. 

All through the meal I divided my attention between the paper and thelooking-glass. I was careful how I made use of the latter, for thewaiter was hovering about most of the time, and I didn't want himto think that I was spying on some of the other customers. So quitegenuinely I waded through the news, keeping on glancing in the mirrorover the top of the paper from time to time just to see how thingswere progressing behind me. 

That my two friends were getting along together very well was evidentnot only from their faces but from the sounds of laughter which atintervals came floating down the room. Indeed, so animated was theirconversation, that although I had begun my dinner later, I hadfinished some little time before they had. I had no intention ofleaving first, however, so ordering myself some coffee, I sat back inmy chair, and with the aid of a cigar, continued my study of the _PallMall_. 

I was in the middle of a spirited article on the German trouble, headed "What Does the Kaiser Mean?" when glancing in the mirror I sawa waiter advance to the table behind me, carrying a bottle of portin a basket, with a care that suggested some exceptional vintage. Hepoured out a couple of glasses, and then placing it reverently on thetable, withdrew from the scene. 

I watched both men take a sip, and saw them set down their glasseswith a thoroughly satisfied air. Then the man with the scar made asudden remark to the other, who, turning his head, looked away overhis shoulder into the restaurant. His attention could only have beenwithdrawn from the table for a couple of seconds at the most, but inthat fraction of time something happened which set my heart beatingrapidly in a kind of cold and tense excitement. 

So swiftly, that if I had not been looking straight in the mirror Ishould have missed seeing it, the man with the scar brought his handdown over his companion's glass. Unless my eyes were playing me atrick, I distinctly saw him empty something into the wine. 

There are rare occasions in life when one acts instinctively in theright way before one's mind has had time to reason matters out. It wasso with me now. Without stopping to think, I whipped out a pencil frommy pocket, and snatched away a piece of white paper from underneaththe small dish of candied fruit in front of me. Spreading it out onthe table I hastily scribbled the following words:

"Don't drink your wine. The man with you has just put something intoit. "

I folded this up, and beckoned to one of the waiters who was standingby the door. He came forward at once. 

"Do you want to earn half a sovereign?" I asked. 

"Yes, sir, " he answered, without the faintest air of surprise. 

"Listen to me, then, " I said, "and whatever you do don't look round. In the farther corner behind us there's a gentleman with an eyeglassdining with another man. Go up the centre of the room and give himthis note. If he asks you who it's from, say some one handed it you inthe hall and told you to deliver it. Then go and get my bill and bringit me here. "

The waiter bowed, and taking the note departed on his errand, ascasually as though I had instructed him to fetch me a liqueur. All thetime I had been speaking I had kept a watchful eye on the mirror, and as far as I could tell neither of the two men had noticed ourconversation. They were talking and laughing, the man I had sent themessage to lightly fingering the stem of his wine-glass, and blowingthin spirals of cigarette smoke into the air. Even as I looked heraised the glass, and for one harrowing second I thought I was toolate. Then, like a messenger from the gods, the waiter suddenlyappeared from behind one of the pillars and handed him my note on asmall silver tray. 

He took it casually with his left hand; at the same time setting downhis wine-glass on the table. I saw him make an excuse to his host, andthen open it and read it. I don't know exactly what I had expectedhim to do next, but the result was certainly surprising. Instead ofshowing any amazement or even questioning the waiter, he made somelaughing remark to his companion, and putting his hand in his pocketpulled out a small leather case from which he extracted a card. 

Bending over the table he wrote two or three words in pencil, andhanded it to the waiter. As he did so the edge of his sleeve justcaught the wine-glass. I saw the other man start up and stretch outhis hand, but he was too late to save it. Over it went, breaking intopieces against one of the plates, and spilling the wine all across thetable-cloth. 

It was done so neatly that I could almost have sworn it was anaccident. Indeed the exclamation of annoyance with which the culpritgreeted his handiwork sounded so perfectly genuine that if I hadn'tknown what was in the note I should have been completely deceived. I saw the waiter step forward and dab hurriedly at the stain with anapkin, while the author of the damage, coolly pulling up anotherglass, helped himself to a fresh supply from the bottle. A morebeautifully carried out little bit of acting it has never been my goodluck to witness. 

If the man with the scar suspected anything (which I don't think hedid) he was at least intelligent enough to keep the fact to himself. He laughed heartily over the contretemps, and taking out hiscigar-case offered his companion a choice of the contents. I saw thelatter shake his head, raising his half-finished cigarette as much asto indicate his preference for that branch of smoking. It struck me, however, that his refusal was possibly dictated by other motives. 

Full of curiosity as I was, I thought it better at this point not totempt Fate any further. At any moment the man with the scar might lookround, and although I was some distance away, it was quite likely thatif he did he would recognize my reflection in the mirror. I was doublyanxious now to avoid any such mischance, so, picking up _La Vie_, Iopened its immoral but conveniently spacious pages, and from behindtheir shelter waited for my bill. 

It was not long in coming. Impassive as ever, the waiter reappearedwith his little silver tray, which this time contained a white slipfolded across in the usual fashion. As I took it up I felt somethinginside, and opening it I discovered a small visiting card with thefollowing inscription:

MR. BRUCE LATIMER145 _Jermyn Street, W_. 

Scribbled across the top in pencil were the following words:

"Thanks. I shall be still more grateful if you will look me up at theabove address. "

Quickly and unobtrusively I tucked it away in my waistcoat pocket, and glancing at the total of the bill, which came to about fifteenshillings, put down a couple of my few remaining sovereigns. It paysto be a little extravagant when you have been well served. 

A swift inspection of the mirror showed me that neither of theoccupants of the end table was looking in my direction, so takingmy chance I rose quickly to my feet and stepped forward behind theshelter of the nearest pillar. Here I was met by another waiter whohanded me my hat and stick, while his impassive colleague, pocketingthe two pounds, advanced to the door and opened it before me with apolite bow. I felt rather like the hero of a melodrama making his exitafter the big scene. 

Once in the street, the full realization of what I had just beenthrough came to me with a sort of curious shock. It seemed an almostincredible thing that a man should make an attempt to drug or poisonanother in a public restaurant, but, unless I was going off my head, that was what had actually occurred. Of course I might possibly havebeen mistaken in what I saw in the glass, but the readiness with whichMr. Latimer (somehow the name seemed vaguely familiar to me) hadaccepted my hint rather knocked that theory on the head. It showedthat he, at all events, had not regarded such a contingency as beingthe least bit incredible. 

I began to try and puzzle out in my mind what bearings this amazingincident could have on my own affairs. I was not even sure as yetwhether the man with the scar had been really spying on my movementsor whether my seeing him twice on the night of my arrival in Townhad been purely a matter of coincidence. If he was a friend ofMcMurtrie's, it seemed to stand to reason that' Mr. Bruce Latimerwas not. Even in such a weird sort of syndicate as I had apparentlystumbled against it was hardly probable that the directors wouldattempt to poison each other in West End restaurants. 

The question was should I accept the invitation pencilled across thecard? I was anxious enough in all conscience to find out somethingdefinite about McMurtrie and his friends, but I certainly had no wishto mix myself up with any mysterious business in which I was not quitesure that they were concerned. For the time being my own affairsprovided me with all the interest and excitement that I needed. Besides, even if the man with the scar was one of the gang, and hadreally tried to poison or drug his companion, I was scarcely in aposition to offer the latter my assistance. Apart altogether fromthe fact that I had given my promise to the doctor, it was obviouslyimpossible for me to explain to a complete stranger how I came to bemixed up with the matter. An escaped convict, however excellent hisintentions may be, is bound to be rather handicapped in his choice ofaction. 

With my mind busy over these problems I pursued my way home, onlystopping at a small pub opposite Victoria to buy myself a syphon ofsoda and a bottle of drinkable whisky. With these under my arm (it'sextraordinary how penal servitude relieves one of any false pride) Icontinued my journey, reaching the house just as Big Ben was boomingout the stroke of half-past nine. 

It seemed a bit early to turn in, but I had had such a varied andemotional day that the prospect of a good night's rest rather appealedto me. So, after mixing myself a stiff peg, I undressed and got intobed, soothing my harassed mind with another chapter or two of H. G. Wells before attempting to go to sleep. So successful was thisprescription that when I did drop off it was into a deep, dreamlessslumber which was only broken by the appearance of Gertie 'Uggins witha cup of tea at eight o'clock the next morning. 

Soundly and long as I had slept I didn't hurry about getting up. According to Joyce, Tommy would not be back until somewhere about two, and I had had so many grisly mornings of turning out at five o'clockafter a night of sleepless horror that the mere fact of being able tolie in bed between clean sheets was still something of a novelty anda pleasure. Lie in bed I accordingly did, and, in the processof consuming several cigarettes, continued to ponder over theextraordinary events of the previous evening. 

When I did roll out, it was to enjoy another nice hot bath and anexcellent breakfast. After that I occupied myself for some time byrunning over the various notes and calculations which I had made whileI was with McMurtrie, just in case I found it necessary to start thepractical side of my work earlier than I expected. Everything seemedright, and savagely anxious as I was to stay in town till I could findsome clue to the mystery of George's treachery, I felt also an intenseeagerness to get to grips with my new invention. I was positivelyhungry for a little work. The utter idleness, from any intelligentpoint of view, of my three years in prison, had been almost thehardest part of it to bear. 

At about a quarter to two I left the house, and making my way down onto the embankment set off for Chelsea. It was a delightful day, warmand sunny as July; and this, combined with the fact that I was on myway to see Tommy, lifted me into a most cheerful frame of mind. IndeedI actually caught myself whistling--a habit which I don't think I hadindulged in since my eventful visit to Mr. Marks. 

I looked up at George's house as I passed, but except for a black catsunning herself on the top of the gatepost there was no sign of lifeabout the place. My thoughts went back to Joyce, and I wondered howthe dinner party at the Savoy had gone off. I could almost see Georgesitting at one side of the table with that insufferable air ofgallantry and self-satisfaction that he always assumed in the presenceof a pretty girl. Poor, brave little Joyce! If the pluck and loyaltyof one's friends counted for anything, I was certainly as well off asany one in London. 

As I drew near Florence Mansions I felt a sort of absurd inclinationto chuckle out loud. Much as I disliked the thought of dragging Tommyinto my tangled affairs, the prospect of springing such a gorgeoussurprise on him filled me with a mischievous delight. Up till now, except for my arrest and sentence, I had never seen anything upset hissuperb self-possession in the slightest degree. 

A glance at the board in the hall as I turned in showed me that hehad arrived. I marched along the passage till I came to his flat, andlifting the knocker gave a couple of sharp raps. There was a shortpause; then I heard the sound of footsteps, and a moment later Tommyhimself opened the door. 

He was wearing the same dressing-gown that I remembered three yearsago, and at the sight of his untidy hair and his dear old badly-shavedface I as nearly as possible gave the show away. Pulling myselftogether with an effort, however, I made him a polite bow. 

"Mr. Morrison?" I inquired in my best assumed voice. 

"That's me all right, " said Tommy. 

"My name's Nicholson, " I said. "I am an artist. I was asked to lookyou up by a friend of yours--Delacour of Paris. "

I had mentioned a man for whose work I knew Tommy entertained aprofound respect. 

"Oh, come in, " he cried, swinging open the door and gripping my hand;"come in, old chap. Delighted to see you. The place is in a hell of amess, but you won't mind that. I've only just got back from sailing. "

He dragged me into the studio, which was in the same state ofpicturesque confusion as when I had last seen it, and pulling up alarge easy-chair thrust me down into its capacious depths. 

"I'm awfully glad I was in, " he went on. "I wouldn't have missed youfor the world. How's old Delacour? I haven't seen him for ages. Inever get over to Paris these days. "

"Delacour's all right, " I answered--"at least, as far as I know. "

Tommy walked across the room to a corner cupboard. "You'll have adrink, won't you?" he asked; "there's whisky and brandy, and GrandMarnier, and I've got a bottle of port somewhere if you'd care for aglass. "

There was a short pause. Then in my natural voice I remarked quietlyand distinctly: "You were always a drunken old blackguard, Tommy. "

The effect was immense. For a moment Tommy remained perfectly still, his mouth open, his eyes almost starting out of his head. Then quitesuddenly he sat down heavily on the couch, clutching a bottle ofwhisky in one hand and a tumbler in the other. 

"Well, I'm damned!" he whispered. 

"Never mind, Tommy, " I said cheerfully; "you'll be in the very bestsociety. "

CHAPTER XIII

REGARDING MR. BRUCE LATIMER

For perhaps a second Tommy remained motionless; then sitting up heremoved the cork, and poured himself out about a quarter of a tumblerof neat spirit. He drained this off at a gulp, and put down both theglass and the bottle. 

"God deliver us!" he observed; "is it really you?"

I nodded. "What's left of me, Tommy. "

He jumped to his feet, and the next moment he was crushing my handswith a grip that would have broken some people's fingers. "You oldruffian!" he muttered; "I always said you'd do something like this. Lord alive, it's good to see you, though!" Then, pulling me up out ofthe chair, he caught me by the shoulders and stared incredulouslyinto my face. "But what the devil's happened? What have you done toyourself?"

"I know what I'm going to do to myself, " I replied. "I am going toget outside some of that drink you were talking about--if there's anyleft. "

With something between a laugh and a choke he let me go, and crossingto the couch picked up the whisky and splashed out a generous tot intothe glass. 

"Here you are--and I'm hanged if I don't have another one myself. Ibelieve I could drink the whole bottle without turning a hair. "

"I'm quite sure you could, Tommy, " I said, "unless you'vedeteriorated. "

We raised our tumblers and clinked them together with a force thatcracked mine from the rim to the bottom. I drained off the contents, however, before they could escape, and flung the broken glass into thefireplace. 

"It would have been blasphemous to drink out of it again in any case, "I said. 

With a big, happy laugh Tommy followed my example. Then he came upagain and caught me by the arm, as though to make sure that I wasstill there. 

"Neil, old son, " he said, "I'm so glad to see you that I shall startwrecking the blessed studio in a minute. For God's sake tell me whatit all means. "

"Sit down, then, " I said; "sit down and give me a chance. It's--it's ahell of a yarn, Tommy. "

He laughed again, and letting go my arm threw himself back into theeasy-chair. 

"It would be, " he said. 

I always have a feeling that I can talk better when I am on my feet, and so, while Tommy sat there puffing out great clouds of smoke from ahuge cherry-wood pipe, I paced slowly up and down the room givinghim my story. Like Joyce, he listened to me without saying a word orinterrupting me in any way. I told him everything that had happenedfrom the moment when I had escaped from prison to the time when I hadgiven my promise that I would come and look him up. 

"I couldn't help it, Tommy, " I finished. "I didn't want to drag youin, but you know what Joyce is when she has once made up her mindabout anything. I thought the only way was to come and see you. Between us--"

I got no further, for with a sudden exclamation--it sounded more likea growl than anything else--Tommy had risen from his chair. 

"And do you mean to tell me that, if it hadn't been for Joyce, youwouldn't have come! By Gad, Neil, if I wasn't so glad to see youI'd--I'd--" Words failed him, and gripping hold of my hands again hewrung them with a force that made me wince. 

Then, suddenly dropping them, he started to stride about the room. "Lord, what a yarn!" he exclaimed. "What a hell of a yarn!"

"Well, I told you it was, " I said, nursing my crushed fingers. 

"I knew something had happened. I knew at least that you weren't goingto be taken alive; but this--" He stopped short in front of me andonce more gazed incredulously into my face. "I wouldn't know you fromthe Angel Gabriel!" he added. 

"Except that he's clean shaven, " I said. Then I paused. "Look here, Tommy, " I went on seriously, "what are we going to do about Joyce? I'mall right, you see. There's nothing to prevent me clearing out of thecountry directly I've finished with McMurtrie. If I choose to go andbreak George's neck, that's my own business. I am not going to haveyou and Joyce mixed up in the affair. "

Tommy sat down on the edge of the table. "My dear chap, " he saidslowly, "do you understand anything about Joyce at all? Do you realizethat ever since the trial she has had only one idea in her mind--toget you out of prison? She has lived for nothing else the last threeyears. All this palmistry business was entirely on your account. Shewanted to make money and get to know people who could help her, andshe's done it--done it in the most astounding way. When she found itwas too soon for your sentence to be altered she even made up somemad plan of taking a cottage near the prison and bribing one of thewarders with that eight hundred pounds you left her. It was all Icould do to put her off by telling her that you would probably be shottrying to get away. Is it likely she'll chuck the whole thing up now, just when there's really a chance of helping you?"

"But there isn't a chance, " I objected. "If we couldn't find out thetruth at the trial it's not likely we shall now--unless I choke it outof George. Besides, it's quite possible that even he doesn't know whoreally killed Marks. He may only have lied about me for some reason ofhis own. "

Tommy nodded impatiently. "That's likely enough, but it's all my eyeto say we can't help you. There are a hundred ways in which you'llwant friends. To start with, all this business of McMurtrie's, orwhatever his name is, sounds devilish queer to me. I don't believe hisyarn any more than you do. There's something shady about it, you canbe certain. When are you supposed to start work?"

I looked at the clock. "I shall know in about an hour, " I said. "Iforgot to tell you that when I came back from Joyce's yesterday Ifound a note--I suppose from them--saying that I should have a messageor a visitor at five o'clock today, and would I be good enough to behome at that time. At least it wasn't put quite so politely. " Then Ipaused. "Good Lord!" I exclaimed, "that reminds me. I haven't told youthe most amazing part of the whole yarn. " I put my hand in my pocketand pulled out the card which had been sent me in the restaurant. "Have you ever heard of a man called Bruce Latimer?" I asked. 

To my amazement Tommy nodded his head. "Bruce Latimer, " he repeated. "Yes, I know _a_ Bruce Latimer?--lives in Jermyn Street. What's he gotto do with it?"

"You know him!" I almost shouted. 

"Yes, slightly. He belongs to the Athenians. He used to do a lot ofsailing at one time, but I haven't seen him down there this year. "

"Who is he? What is he?" I demanded eagerly. 

"Well, I don't know exactly. He's in some Government office, Ibelieve, but he's not the sort of chap who ever talks about his ownaffairs. Where on earth did you come across him?"

As quickly as possible I told Tommy the story of my visit toParelli's, and showed him the card which Latimer had sent me by thewaiter. He took it out of my hand, looking at me with a sort ofhalf-sceptical amazement. 

"You're not joking?" he said. "This is Gospel truth you're tellingme?"

I nodded. "Humour's a bit out of my line nowadays, Tommy, " I answered. "The Dartmoor climate doesn't seem to suit it. "

"But--but--" he stared for a moment at the card without speaking. "Well, this beats everything, " he exclaimed. "What in God's name canBruce Latimer have to do with your crowd?"

"That, " I remarked, "is exactly what I want to find out. "

"Find out!" repeated Tommy. "We'll find out right enough. Do you thinkhe guessed who it was that sent the note?"

"Most likely he did, " I said. "I was the nearest person, but in anycase he only saw my back. You can't recognize a man from his back. "

Tommy took two or three steps up and down the studio. "_You_ mustn'tgo and see him, " he said at last--"that's quite certain. You can'tafford to mix yourself up in a business of this sort. "

"No, " I said reluctantly, "but all the same I should very much like toknow what's at the bottom of it. "

"Suppose I take it on, then?" suggested Tommy. 

"What could you say?" I asked. 

"I should tell him that it was a friend of mine--an artist who wasgoing abroad the next day--who had seen it happen, and that he'd givenme the card and asked me to explain. It's just possible Latimer wouldtake me into his confidence. He would either have to do that or elsepretend that the whole thing was a joke. "

"I'm quite sure there was no joke about it, " I said. "Whether the chapwith the scar belongs to McMurtrie's crowd or not, I'm as certain as Iam that I'm standing here that he drugged that wine. He may not havemeant to murder Latimer, but it looks uncommon fishy. "

"It looks even fishier than you think, " answered Tommy. "I'd forgottenfor the moment, when you asked about him, but I remember now that somefellow at the Athenians once told me that Latimer was supposed to be asecret-service man of some kind. "

"A secret-service man!" I repeated incredulously. "I didn't know wewent in for such luxuries in this country except in novels. Do youbelieve it?"

"I didn't pay much attention at the time--I thought it was probablyall rot--but this business--" He stopped, and thrusting his hands intohis pockets, again paced slowly up and down the room. 

I gave a thoughtful whistle. "By Jove, Tommy!" I said; "if that's afact and the gentleman with the scar is really one of our crowd, Iseem to have dropped in for a rather promising time--don't I! I knewI was up against the police, but it's a sort of cheerful surprise tofind that I'm taking on the secret service as well. "

Tommy pulled up short. "Look here, Neil!" he said. "I don't like it;I'm hanged if I do. There's some rotten dirty work going on somewhere;that's as plain as a pikestaff. I believe these people are simplyusing you as a cats-paw. All they want is to get hold of the secret ofthis new explosive of yours; then as likely as not they'll hand youover to the police, or else.... " he paused. "Well, you've seen the sortof crowd they are. It may be all rot about Latimer being in the secretservice, but there's no doubt they tried to poison or drug him lastnight. Men who will go as far as that wouldn't stick at getting rid ofyou if it happened to suit their book. "

I nodded. "That's all true enough, Tommy, " I said; "but what am I todo? I took the bargain on, and I've no choice now except to go throughwith it. I can't walk up to a policeman and say I think Dr. McMurtrieis a dangerous person engaged on some sort of illegal enterprise. "

Tommy came up, and laid his hand on my shoulder. "Drop it, Neil; chuckthe whole thing and go to America. Joyce has got that eight hundredpounds of yours; and I can easily let you have another two or three. In six months' time you'll be able to make as much money as youchoose. You've had three years of hell; what's the good of runningany risks that you can avoid? If there's the least faintest chanceof getting at the truth, you can be certain I'll do it. Don't go andsmash up all the rest of your life over this cursed business. Whatdoes it matter if all the fools in England think you killed Marks?He deserved to be killed anyway--the swine! Leave them to think, andclear off to some country where you can start fresh and fair again. Itdoesn't matter the least where you go to, you're bound to come to thetop. "

It was about the longest speech I had ever heard Tommy make, andcertainly the most eloquent. For a moment indeed I was almost temptedto take his advice. Then the thought of George and all the complicatedsuffering that I had been through rose up like a wall across my mind. 

"No, " I said firmly; "I'm damned if I'll go. I'll see this out if itmeans the end of everything. "

As I spoke there came a sharp "ting" from the clock on themantelpiece, and looking up I saw that it was half-past four. "By Gad, Tommy, " I added, "I must go from here, though. I've got to be backat Edith Terrace by five o'clock, or I shall miss this mysteriousvisitor. "

"You're coming back here afterwards?" he asked. 

I nodded. "If I can. I haven't the least notion how long they'll keepme, but I told Joyce I would come round and let you know what hadhappened. "

"Good, " said Tommy. "Don't be longer than you can help. I'll get insomething to eat, and we'll all have supper together--you and I andJoyce, and then we can have a good jaw afterwards. There are stilltons of things I want to know about. "

He thrust his arm through mine and walked with me to the door of theflat. 

"By the way, Thomas, " I said, "I suppose the police aren't watchingyour place, just on the off-chance of my rolling up. They mustremember you were rather a particular pal of mine. "

"I don't think so, " he answered. "They may have had a man on when youfirst escaped, but if so he must have got fed up with the job by now. Don't you worry in any case. Your guardian angel wouldn't recognizeyou in that get up--let alone a policeman. "

"If there's any justice, " I said, "my guardian angel got the sackthree years ago. "

With this irreverent remark, I shook his hand, and walking down thepassage passed out on to the embankment. 

Having a good two miles to cover and only five-and-twenty minutes todo it in, it struck me that driving would be the most agreeable methodof getting home. I hesitated for a moment between a taxi and amotor bus, deciding in favour of the latter chiefly from motives ofsentiment. I had not been on one since my arrest, and besides thatthe idea of travelling along the streets in open view of the Britishpublic rather appealed to me. Since my interview with Tommy I wasbeginning to feel the most encouraging confidence in McMurtrie'shandiwork. 

So, turning up Beaufort Street, I jumped on to a "Red Victoria" atthe corner, and making my way upstairs, sat down on one of the frontseats. It was the first time I had been down the King's Road bydaylight, and the sight of all the old familiar landmarks was asrefreshing as rain in the desert. Twice I caught a glimpse of some onewhom I had known in the old days--one man was Murgatroyd, the blackand white artist, and the other Doctor O'Hara, the good-natured Irishmedico who had once set a broken finger for me. The latter was comingout of his house as we passed, and I felt a mischievous longing tojump off the bus and introduce myself to him, just to see what hewould do. 

At the corner of Sloane Square I had an unexpected and rather dramaticreminder of my celebrity. As we emerged from the King's Road aprocession of five or six sandwich-men suddenly appeared from thedirection of Symons Street, shuffling dejectedly along at intervalsof a few yards. They were carrying double boards, on which, boldlyprinted in red-and-black letters, stared the following announcement:

MADAME TUSSAUD'S

MARYLEBONE ROAD

NEILLYNDON

A LIFELIKE PORTRAIT

I gazed down at them with a sort of fascinated interest. Somehowor other it seemed rather like reading one's own tombstone, and Icouldn't help wondering whether I was in the main hall or whether Ihad been dignified with an eligible site in the Chamber of Horrors. Ifit hadn't been for my appointment I should most certainly have taken acab straight up to Marylebone Road in order to find out. 

Promising myself that treat on the morrow, I stuck to my seat, and atten minutes to five by the station clock we drew up outside Victoria. I got off and walked briskly along to Edith Terrace. Turning thecorner of the street, I observed the figure of Miss Gertie 'Ugginsleaning against the front railings, apparently engaged in conversationwith an errand boy on the other side of the road. As soon as sherecognized me she dived down the area steps, reappearing at the frontdoor just as I reached the house. 

"I was watchin' for yer, " she remarked in a hoarse whisper. "There'ssummun wants to see yer in there. " She jerked her thumb towards thesitting-room. "It's a lidy, " she added. 

"A lady!" I said. "What sort of a lady?"

"Ow! A reel lidy. She's got a lovely 'at. "

"Is she young and dark and rather nice to look at?" I asked. 

Gertie nodded. "That's 'er. She wouldn't give no nime, but that's 'erright enough. "

I didn't wait to ask any more questions, but putting down my hat onthe hall table, I walked up to the sitting-room and tapped lightly onthe door. 

"Come in, " called out a voice. 

I turned the handle, and the next moment I was face to face withSonia. 

CHAPTER XIV

A SUMMONS FROM DR. McMURTRIE

She had risen from the sofa as I entered and was standing in thecentre of the room. The neatly cut, close-fitting dress that she waswearing suited her dark beauty to perfection and showed off thelines of her lithe, slender figure. She gave me a curious momentaryimpression of some sort of graceful wild animal. 

"Ah!" she exclaimed softly. "I am glad you weren't late. I have to goaway quite soon. "

I took the hand she held out to me. "My dear Sonia, " I said, "whydidn't you let me know that you were going to be the visitor?"

"I didn't know myself, " she answered. "The doctor meant to come, buthe was called away unexpectedly this afternoon, so he sent me instead. I have got a letter for you from him. " She let go my fingers gently, and picking up her bag which was lying on the table, opened it andtook out an envelope. 

"Shall I read it now?" I asked. 

She nodded. 

I slit up the flap and pulled out a folded sheet of foolscap frominside. It was in McMurtrie's handwriting, but there was no date andno address. 

"DEAR MR. NICHOLSON, "All the necessary arrangements have now been made with regard to yourworkshop at Tilbury. It is situated on the marshes close to the river, three miles east of the town and a mile to the west of Cunnock Creek. You can reach it either by the main road which runs half a mileinland, or by walking along the saltings under the sea-wall. 

"You cannot mistake the place, as it is an absolutely isolatedbuilding, consisting of a small cabin or hut, with a large shedattached for your work. It is not luxurious, but we have at leastfitted up the interior of your living-room as comfortably as possible, and you will find in the shed everything that you specified in yourlist as being necessary for your experiments. 

"I should be glad if you would arrange to go down there and start workthe day after tomorrow. There is a train from Fenchurch Street toTilbury at 11. 45 in the morning, and if you will catch that I willsee that there is a trap to meet you at the station and drive you outalong the road as near to the place as it is possible to get. Thishardly gives you the full week in London which you wished for, butcircumstances have arisen that make it of great importance to us tobe able to place your invention on the market as quickly as possible. From your own point of view the sooner the work is done the sooner youwill be in possession of funds, and so able to make any use of yourliberty you choose. 

"Sonia has the keys of the building, and will give them you with thisletter. 

"While you are working at the hut, it will be better, I think, if youstay entirely on the premises. I believe you will find everythingyou want in the way of food and cooking materials, and you will, ofcourse, take down your own personal belongings with you. In the eventof anything you really need having been forgotten, you can always walkinto Tilbury, but I should strongly advise you not to do so, exceptin a case of absolute necessity. Apart from any danger of your beingrecognized, we are extremely anxious that no one connected with thepowder trade should have the least idea that experiments are beingconducted with regard to a new explosive. A large part of theimmediate value of your invention will consist in its coming on themarket as an absolute surprise. 

"I have been unexpectedly called away for a few days, but directly Ireturn I shall come down to Tilbury and see you. Should you wish tocommunicate with me in the interval, you can do so by writing orwiring to me at the Hotel Russell, London, W. C. 

"I hope that you have enjoyed your well-earned if rather long-delayedholiday. 

"Your sincere friend, "L. J. McMURTRIE. "

I finished reading and slowly refolded the letter. 

"You know what this is about, of course, Sonia?" I said. 

She nodded again. "They want you to go down there at once. You must doit; you must do everything you are told just at present. "

"I ought to be able to manage that, " I said grimly. "I've had plentyof practice the last three years. "

With a swift, silent movement she came up to me and put her hands onmy arm. "You must trust me, " she said, speaking in that low passionatevoice of hers. "You know that I love you; you know that I am onlywaiting for the right time to act. When it comes I will give you achance such as few men have had--a chance that will mean wealth andfreedom and--and--love. " She breathed out the last word almost in awhisper, and then, raising her hands to my shoulders, drew down myface and pressed her lips to mine. 

I have no dislike to being kissed by a beautiful woman; indeed, onthe previous occasion when Sonia had so honoured me I had distinctlyenjoyed the experience. This time, however, I felt a trifleuncomfortable. I had a kind of unpleasant sensation that somehow orother I was not quite playing the game. 

Still, as I have said elsewhere, an escaped convict cannot afford tobe too nice in his emotions, so I returned her kiss with the samereadiness and warmth as I had done before. Then, straightening myself, I unlaced her arms from my neck, and looked down smilingly into thosestrange dark eyes that were turned up to mine. 

"I'm a poor sort of host, " I said, "but you see I am a little out oftraining. Won't you have some tea or anything, Sonia?"

"No, no, " she answered quickly. "I don't want anything. I must go in aminute; I have to meet my father with the car. " Then, taking my handbetween hers, she added: "Tell me what you have been doing yourself. Have you seen your cousin--the man who lied about you at the trial? Ihave been afraid about him; I have been afraid that you would kill himand perhaps be found out. "

"There's no hurry about it, " I said. "It's rather pleasant to havesomething to look forward to. "

"But you have seen him?"

I nodded. "I had the pleasure of walking behind him for a couple ofmiles yesterday. He looks a little worried, but quite well otherwise. "

She laughed softly. "Ah, you can afford to let him wait. And the girl, Joyce? Have you seen her?"

She asked the question quite dispassionately, and yet in some curiousway I had a sudden vague feeling of menace and danger. Anyhow, I liedas readily and instinctively as Ananias. 

"No, " I said. "George is the only part of my past that interests menow. "

I thought I saw the faintest possible expression of satisfactionflicker across her face, but if so it was gone immediately. 

"Sonia, " I said, "there is a question I want to ask you. Am Ideveloping nerves, or have I really been watched and followed since Icame to London?"

She looked at me steadily. "What makes you think so?" she asked. 

"Well, " I said, "it may be only my imagination, but I have an ideathat a gentleman with a scar on his face has been taking a ratheraffectionate interest in my movements. "

For a moment she hesitated; then with a rather scornful little laughshe shrugged her shoulders. "I told them it was unnecessary!" shesaid. 

I crushed down the exclamation that nearly rose to my lips. So the manwith the scar _was_ one of McMurtrie's emissaries, after all, and hisdealings with Mr. Bruce Latimer most certainly did concern me. Thefeeling that I was entangled in some unknown network of evil andmystery came back to me with redoubled force. 

"I hope the report was satisfactory, " I said lightly. 

Sonia nodded. "They only wanted to make certain that you had gone toEdith Terrace. I don't think you were followed after the first night. "

"No, " I said, "I don't think I was. " Precisely how much the boot hadbeen on the opposite foot it seemed unnecessary to add. 

Sonia walked to the table and again opened her bag. "I mustn't stayany longer--now, " she said. "I have to meet the car at six o'clock. Here are the keys. " She took them out and came across to where I wasstanding. 

"Good-bye, Sonia, " I said, taking her hands in mine. 

"No, no, " she whispered; "don't say that: I hate the word. Listen, Neil. I am coming to you again, down there, when we shall bealone--you and I together. I don't know when it will be, but soon--ah, just as soon as I can. I can't help you, not in the way I mean to, until you have finished your work, but I will come to you, and--and.... "Her voice failed, and lowering her head she buried her face in mycoat. I bent down, and in a moment her lips met mine in another long, passionate kiss. It was hard to see how I could have acted otherwise, but all the same I didn't feel exactly proud of myself. 

Indeed, it was in a state of very mixed emotions that I came back intothe house after we had walked together as far as the corner of thestreet. The mere fact of my having found out for certain that the manwith the scar was an agent of McMurtrie's was enough in itself to giveme food for pretty considerable thought. Any suspicions I may have hadas to the genuineness of the doctor's story were now amply confirmed. I was not intimately acquainted with the working methods of the HighExplosives Trade, but it seemed highly improbable that they couldinvolve the drugging or poisoning of Government officials in publicrestaurants. As Tommy had forcibly expressed it, there was some"damned shady work" going on somewhere or other, and for all Sonia'scomforting assurances concerning my own eventual prosperity, I feltthat I was mixed up in about as sinister a mystery as even an escapedmurderer could very well have dropped into. 

The thought of Sonia brought me back to the question of our relations. I could hardly doubt now that she loved me with all the force of herstrange, sullen, passionate nature, and that for my sake she waspreparing to take some pretty reckless step. What this was remained tobe seen, but that it amounted to a practical betrayal of her fatherand McMurtrie seemed fairly obvious from the way in which she hadspoken. From the point of view of my own interests, it was an amazingstroke of luck that she should have fallen in love with me, and yetsomehow or other I felt distinctly uncomfortable about it. I seemedto be taking an unfair advantage of her, though how on earth I was toavoid doing so was a question which I was quite unable to solve. Icertainly couldn't afford to quarrel with her, and she was hardly thesort of girl to accept anything in the nature of a disappointment toher affections in exactly a philosophic frame of mind. 

I was still pondering over this rather delicate problem, when therecame a knock at the door, and in answer to my summons Gertie 'Ugginsinserted her head. 

"The lidy's gorn?" she observed, looking inquiringly round the room. 

I nodded. "There is no deception, Gertrude, " I said. "You can searchthe coal-scuttle if you like. "

She wriggled the rest of her body in round the doorway. "Mrs. Oldburysent me up to ask if you'd be wantin' dinner. "

"No, " I said; "I am going out. "

Gertie nodded thoughtfully. "Taikin' 'er, I s'pose?"

"To be quite exact, " I said, "I am dining with another lady. "

There was a short pause. Then, with an air of some embarrassmentGertie broke the silence. '"Ere, " she said: "you know that five bobyou give me?"

"Yes, " I said. 

"Well, I ain't spendin' it on no dinner--see. I'm goin' to buy a 'atwiv it--a 'at like 'ers: d'yer mind?"

"I do mind, " I said severely. "That money was intended for yourinside, Gertie, not your outside. You have your dinner, and I'll buyyou a new hat myself. "

She clasped her hands together. "Ow!" she cried. "Yer mean it? Yerreely mean it?"

"I never joke, " I said, "on sacred subjects. "

Then to my dismay she suddenly began to cry. "You ain't 'alf--'alf bingood to me, " she jerked out. "No one ain't never bin good to me likeyou. I'd--I'd do anyfink for you. "

"In that case, " I said, "you may give me my hat--and cheer up. "

She obeyed both commands, and then, still sniffing, valiantly marchedto the front door and opened it for me to go out. 

"Goo'-night, sir, " she said. 

"Good-night, Gertrude, " I replied; and leaving her standing on thestep I set off down the street. Whatever else prison might have donefor me, it certainly seemed to have given me a capacity for makingfriends. 

I reached Florence Court at about a quarter to seven, keeping asharp lookout along the embankment as I approached for any sign ofa loitering detective. Except for one aged gentleman, however, whoseemed to be wholly occupied in spitting in the Thames, the stretch infront of the studios was absolutely deserted. Glancing at the boardin the hall as I entered, I saw that "Mr. Morrison" and "Miss Vivien"were both "in"--a statement which in Tommy's case was confirmed amoment later by his swift appearance at the door in answer to myknock. 

"Mr. Morrison, I believe?" I said. 

He seized me by the arm and dragged me inside. 

"This is fine. I never thought you'd be back as quick as this. Arethings all right?"

"I should hardly go as far as that, " I said. "But we seem to begetting along quite nicely. "

He nodded. "Good! I just want a wash, and then we'll go right in toJoyce's place. We are going to have supper there, and you can tell usall about it while we're feeding. "

He splashed out some water into a basin in the corner of the studio, and made his ablutions with a swiftness that reminded me of some of myown toilets in the grey twilight of a Dartmoor dawn. Tommy was never aman who wasted much trouble over the accessories of life. 

"Come along, " he said, flinging down the towel on the sofa. "Joycewill be dying to hear what's happened!"

I turned towards the hall, but he suddenly put his hand on my shoulderand pulled me back. 

"Not that way. We've a private road now--runs along the back of thestudios. "

He crossed the room, and opened a door which led out into a narrowstone passage roofed in by glass. 

I followed him along this till we came to another door, on which Tommytapped twice with his knuckles. In a moment we heard a key turn andJoyce was standing on the threshold. When she saw who it was she gavea little cry of welcome and held out both her hands. 

"But how nice!" she exclaimed. "I never thought you'd be here sosoon. "

We had each taken a hand, and talking and laughing at the same time, she pulled us in after her and shut the door. 

"At last!" she cried softly; "at last!" And for a second or two we allthree stood there just gripping each other's hands and not saying aword. It certainly was rather a good feeling. 

Tommy was the first to break the silence. "Damn it, " he said huskily, "if Neil didn't look so exactly like a brigand chief I believe Ishould blubber. Eh, Joyce--how do you feel?"

"I feel all right, " said Joyce. "And he doesn't look a bit like abrigand chief. He looks splendid. " She stood back and surveyed me witha sort of tender proprietorship. 

"I suppose we shall get used to it, " remarked Tommy. "It nearly gaveme heart disease to begin with. " Then, going and locking the sidedoor, he added cheerfully, "I vote we have supper at once. I've hadnothing except whisky since I came off the boat. "

"Well, there's heaps to eat, " said Joyce. "I've been out marketing inthe King's Road. "

"What have you got?" demanded Tommy hungrily. 

Joyce ticked them off with her fingers. "There's a cold chicken andsalad, some stuffed olives--those are for you, Neil, you always usedto like them--a piece of Stilton cheese and a couple of bottles ofchampagne. They're all in the kitchen, so come along both of you andhelp me get them. "

"Where's the faithful Clara?" asked Tommy. 

"I've sent her out for the evening. I didn't want any one to be hereexcept just us three. "

We all trooped into Joyce's tiny kitchen and proceeded to carry backour supper into the studio, where we set it out on the table in thecentre. We were so ridiculously happy that for some little time ourconversation was inclined to be a trifle incoherent: indeed, it wasnot until we had settled down round the table and Tommy had knockedthe head off the first bottle of champagne with the back of his knifethat we in any way got back to our real environment. 

It was Joyce who brought about the change. "I keep on feeling I shallwake up in a minute, " she said, "and find out that it's all a dream. "

"Put it off as long as possible, " said Tommy gravely. "It would berotten for Neil to find himself back in Dartmoor before he'd finishedhis champagne. "

"I don't know when I shall get any more as it is, " I said. "I've gotto start work the day after tomorrow. "

There was a short pause: Joyce pushed away her plate and leanedforward, her eyes fixed on mine; while Tommy stretched out his arm andfilled up my glass. 

"Go on, " he said. "What's happened?"

In as few words as possible I told them about my interview with Sonia, and showed them the letter which she had brought me from McMurtrie. They both read it--Joyce first and then Tommy, the latter tossing itback with a grunt that was more eloquent than any possible comment. 

"It's too polite, " he said. "It's too damn' polite altogether. You cansee they're up to some mischief. "

"I am afraid they are, Tommy, " I said; "and it strikes me that it mustbe fairly useful mischief if we're right about Mr. Bruce Latimer. Bythe way, does Joyce know?"

Tommy nodded. "She's right up to date: I've told her everything. Thequestion is, how much has that affair got to do with us? It's quitepossible, if they're the sort of scoundrels they seem to be, that theymight be up against the Secret Service in some way quite apart fromtheir dealings with you. "

"By Jove, Tommy!" I exclaimed, "I never thought of that. One'sinclined to get a bit egotistical when one's an escaped murderer. "

"It was Joyce's idea, " admitted Tommy modestly, "but it's quite likelythere's something in it. Of course we've no proof at present oneway or the other. What do you think this girl--what's hername--Sonia--means to do?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Goodness knows, " I said. "It looks as ifthere was a chance of making a big immediate profit on my invention, and that she intended me to scoop it in instead of her father andMcMurtrie. I can't think of anything else. "

Tommy pulled up a fresh plate and helped himself to some cheese. 

"She must be pretty keen on you, " he observed. 

"Well, you needn't rub it in, Tommy, " I said. "I feel quite enough ofa cad as it is. "

"You're not, " interrupted Joyce indignantly. "If she really loves you, of course she wants to help you whether you love her or not. "

"Still, she'll expect a _quid pro quo_, " persisted Tommy. 

"Then it isn't love, " returned Joyce scornfully, "and in that casethere's no need to bother about her. "

This seemed a most logical point of view, and I determined to adopt itfor the future if my conscience would allow me. 

"What about your invention?" asked Tommy. "How long will it take youto work it out?"

"Well, as a matter of fact, " I said, "it is worked out--as much as anyinvention can be without being put to a practical test. I was just onthat when the smash came. I had actually made some of the powder andproved its power, but I'd never tried it on what one might call aworking basis. If they've given me all the things I want, I don't seeany reason why I shouldn't fix it up in two or three days. There'sno real difficulty in its manufacture. I wasn't too definite withMcMurtrie. I thought it best to give myself a little margin. "

Tommy nodded. "You've handled the whole thing splendidly up tillnow, " he said. "I rather think it's the ticklish part that's coming, though. " Then he paused. "Look here!" he added suddenly. "I've got agreat notion. Why shouldn't we run down tomorrow in the _Betty_ andhave a squint at this place of yours? There's nothing like taking afew soundings when you're not too sure about things. "

I drew in a deep breath. "I'd love to, Tommy, " I said, "but it'srather asking for trouble, isn't it? Suppose there was still someoneabout there? If McMurtrie had the faintest idea I'd given away theshow--"

"He won't, " interrupted Tommy; "he can't. We'll take precious goodcare of that. Listen here: I've got the whole thing mapped out in mymind. The _Betty's_ at Leigh, where I laid her up yesterday. I had aseven-horse-power Kelvin engine put in her last year, so we can getup, whatever the wind is--I know the tide will be about right. Well, my idea is that we three go down to Leigh tomorrow morning and takeher up to this place Cunnock Creek, or somewhere near. Then if it'sall serene you can land and have a look round; if there seems to beany one about we can just push off again. Joyce and I won't show up atall, anyway: we'll stop on board and let you do the scouting. "

"Yes, yes, " exclaimed Joyce, her eyes shining eagerly. "Let's go. Itcan't do any harm, and you might find out all sorts of useful things. "

"Besides, " added Tommy, "it would be the deuce of a day, and it's along time since any of us had a good day, eh, Joyce?"

"Three years, " said Joyce quietly. 

That decided me. "Right you are, " I said. "You're--you're somethinglike pals, you two. "

We clinched the arrangement with a grip, and then Joyce, jumping upfrom the table, crossed the room to a small writing-desk. "I've got atime-table somewhere here, " she said, "so we can look out the trainright away. "

"It's all right, " said Tommy. "I know 'em backwards. We'll catch thenine-five from Fenchurch Street. It's low water at eight-thirty, sothat will get us in about the right time. We can leave the _Betty_ atTilbury or Gravesend afterwards, and come back by train from there. We'll be home for dinner or supper or something. "

Joyce nodded. "That will just do, " she said. "I am going out againwith George in the evening. Oh, I haven't told either of you aboutlast night--have I?"

I shook my head. "No, " I said, "but in any case I wish you'd drop thatpart of it, Joyce dear. I hate to think of you dining with George: itoffends my sense of decency. "

She took an envelope out of the desk and came back to her place at thetable. "I mean to drop it quite soon, " she said calmly, "but I mustgo tomorrow. George is on the point of being rather interesting. " Shepaused a moment. "He told me last night that he was expecting to get acheque for twelve thousand pounds. "

"Twelve thousand pounds!" I echoed in astonishment. 

"Where the Devil's he going to get it from?" demanded Tommy. 

"That, " said Joyce, "is exactly what I mean to find out. You seeGeorge is at present under the impression that if he can convince mehe is speaking the truth I am coming away with him for a yachtingcruise in the Mediterranean. Well, tomorrow I am going to beconvinced--and it will have to be done very thoroughly. "

Tommy gave a long whistle. "I wonder what dog's trick he's up to now. He can't be getting the money straight: I know they've done nothingthere the last year. "

"It would be interesting to find out, " I admitted. "All the same, Joyce, I don't see why you should do all the dirty work of the firm. "

"It's my job for the minute, " said Joyce cheerfully, "and none of thefirm's work is dirty to me. "

She came across, and opening my coat, slipped the envelope which shehad taken out of her desk into my inner pocket. "I got those out ofthe bank today, " she said--"twenty five-pound notes. You had bettertake them before we forget: you're sure to want some money. "

Then, before I could speak, she picked up the second bottle ofchampagne that Tommy had just opened, and filled up all three glasses. 

"I like your description of us as the firm, " she said; "don't you, Tommy? Let's all drink a health to it!"

Tommy jumped to his feet and held up his glass. "The Firm!" he cried. "And may all the fools who sent Neil to prison live to learn theiridiocy!"

I followed his example. "The Firm!" I cried, "and may everyone introuble have pals like you!"

Joyce thrust her arm through mine and rested her head against myshoulder. "The Firm!" she said softly. Then, with a little break inher voice, she added in a whisper: "And you don't really want Sonia, do you, Neil?"

CHAPTER XV

A HUMAN "CATCH"

It's not often that the weather in England is really appropriateto one's mood, but the sunshine that was streaming down into EdithTerrace as I banged the front door at half-past eight the next morningseemed to fit in exactly with my state of mind. I felt as cheerful asa schoolboy out for a holiday. Apart altogether from the knowledgethat I was going to spend a whole delightful day with Tommy and Joyce, the mere idea of getting on the water again was enough in itself toput me into the best of spirits. 

I stopped for a moment at the flower-stall outside Victoria Station tobuy Joyce a bunch of violets--she had always been fond of violets--andthen calling up a taxi instructed the man to drive me to FenchurchStreet. 

I found Tommy and Joyce waiting for me on the platform. The formerlooked superbly disreputable in a very old and rather dirty greyflannel suit, while Joyce, who was wearing a white serge skirt witha kind of green knitted coat, seemed beautifully in keeping with thesunshine outside. 

"Hullo!" exclaimed Tommy. "We were just getting the jim-jams aboutyou. Thought you'd eloped with Sonia or something. "

I shook my head. "I never elope before midday, " I said. "I haven't thenecessary stamina. "

I offered Joyce the bunch, which she took with a smile, giving my handa little squeeze by way of gratitude. "You dear!" she said. "Fancyyour remembering that. "

"Well, come along, " said Tommy. "This is the train all right; I've gotthe tickets and some papers. "

He opened the door of a first-class carriage just behind us, and weall three climbed in. "We shall have it to ourselves, " he added. "No one ever travels first on this line except the Port of Londonofficials, and they don't get up till the afternoon. "

We settled ourselves down, Tommy on one side and Joyce and I on theother, and a minute later the train steamed slowly out of the station. Joyce slipped her hand into mine, and we sat there looking out of thewindow over the sea of grey roofs and smoking chimney-stacks whichmake up the dreary landscape of East London. 

"Have a paper?" asked Tommy, holding out the _Daily Mail_. 

"No, thanks, Tommy, " I said. "I'm quite happy as I am. You can tell usthe news if there is any. "

He opened the sheet and ran his eye down the centre page. "There'snothing much in it, " he said, "bar this German business. No one seemsto know what's going to happen about that. I wonder what the Kaiserthinks he's playing at. He can't be such a fool as to want to fighthalf Europe. "

"How is the Navy these days?" I asked. "One doesn't worry abouttrifles like that in Dartmoor. "

"Oh, we're all right, " replied Tommy cheerfully. "The Germans haven'tgot a torpedo to touch yours yet, and we're still a long way ahead of'em in ships. We could wipe them off the sea in a week if they cameout to fight. "

"Well, that's comforting, " I said. "I don't want them sailing up theThames till I've finished. I've no use for a stray shell in my line ofbusiness. "

"I tell you what I'm going to do, Neil, " said Tommy. "I was thinkingit over in bed last night after you'd gone. If there is any possiblesort of anchorage for a boat in this Cunnock Creek I shall leave the_Betty_ there. It's only a mile from your place, and then either Joyceor I can come down and see you without running the risk of beingspotted by your charming pals. Besides, at a pinch it might beprecious handy for you. If things got too hot on shore you couldalways slip away by water. It's not as if you were dependent on thetides. Now I've had this little engine put in her she'll paddle offany old time--provided you can get the blessed thing to start. "

"You're a brick, Tommy, " I said gratefully. "There's nothing I'd likebetter. But as for you and Joyce coming down--"

"Of course we shall come down, " interrupted Joyce. "I shall come justas soon as I can. Who do you think is going to look after you and doyour cooking?"

"Good Lord, Joyce!" I said. "I'm in much too tight a corner to worryabout luxuries. "

"That's no reason why you should be uncomfortable, " said Joyce calmly. "I shan't come near you in the day, while you're working. I shall stayon the _Betty_ and cook dinner for you in the evening, and then assoon as it's dark you can shut up the place and slip across to thecreek. Oh, it will be great fun--won't it, Tommy?"

Tommy laughed. "I think so, " he said; "but I suppose there are peoplein the world who might hold a different opinion. " Then he turned tome. "It's all right, Neil. We'll give you two or three clear days tosee how the land lies and shove along with your work. Joyce has got tofind out where George is getting that cheque from, and I mean to lookup Latimer and sound him about his dinner at Parelli's. You'll bequite glad to see either of us by that time. "

"Glad!" I echoed. "I shall be so delighted, I shall probably blowmyself up. It's you two I'm thinking of. The more I see of this jobthe more certain I am there's something queer about it, and if there'sgoing to be any trouble down there I don't want you and Joyce draggedinto it. "

"We shan't want much dragging, " returned Tommy. "As far as the firm'sbusiness goes we're all three in the same boat. We settled that lastnight. "

"So there's nothing more to be said, " added Joyce complacently. 

I looked from one to the other. Then I laughed and shrugged myshoulders. "No, " I said, "I suppose there isn't. "

Through the interminable slums of Plaistow and East Ham we drew out inthe squalid region of Barking Creek, and I looked down on the mud andthe dirty brown water with a curious feeling of satisfaction. It waslike meeting an old friend again after a long separation. The lowerThames, with its wharves, its warehouses, and its never-ceasingtraffic, had always had a strange fascination for me; and in the olddays, when I wanted to come to Town from Leigh or Port Victoria, I hadfrequently sailed my little six-tonner, the _Penguin_, right up as faras the Tower Bridge. I could remember now the utter amazement withwhich George had always regarded this proceeding. 

"Are you feeling pretty strong this morning?" asked Tommy, breaking along silence. "The _Betty's_ lying out in the Ray, and the only way ofgetting at her will be to tramp across the mud. There's no water foranother four hours. We shall have to take turns carrying Joyce. "

"You won't, " said Joyce. "I shall take off my shoes and stockings andtramp too. I suppose you've got some soap on board. "

"You'll shock Leigh terribly if you do, " said Tommy. "It's a beautifulrespectable place nowadays--all villas and trams and picturepalaces--rather like a bit of Upper Tooting. "

"It doesn't matter, " said Joyce. "I've got very nice feet and ankles, and I'm sure it's much less immoral than being carried in turns. Don'tyou think so, Neil?"

"Certainly, " I said gravely. "No properly-brought-up girl wouldhesitate for a moment. "

We argued over the matter at some length: Tommy maintaining that hewas the only one of the three who knew anything about the minds ofreally respectable people--a contention which Joyce and I indignantlydisputed. As far as I can remember, we were still discussing the pointwhen the train ran into Leigh station and pulled up at the platform. 

"Here you are, " said Tommy, handing me a basket. "You freeze on tothis; it's our lunch. I want to get a couple more cans of paraffinbefore we go on board. There is some, but it's just as well to be onthe safe side. "

We left the station, and walking a few yards down the hill, pulled upat a large wooden building which bore the dignified title of "Marineand Yachting Stores. " Here Tommy invested in the paraffin and one ortwo other trifles he needed, and then turning off down some slipperystone steps, we came out on the beach. Before us stretched a long baresweep of mud and sand, while out beyond lay the Ray Channel, with anumber of small boats and fishing-smacks anchored along its narrowcourse. 

"There's the _Betty_, " said Tommy, pointing to a smart-looking littleclinker-built craft away at the end of the line. "I've had her paintedsince you saw her last. "

"And from what I remember, Tommy, " I said, "she wanted it--badly. "

Joyce seated herself on a baulk of timber and began composedly to takeoff her shoes and stockings. "How deep does one sink in?" she asked. "I don't want to get this skirt dirtier than I can help. "

"You'll be all right if you hold it well up, " said Tommy, "unless wehappen to strike a quicksand. "

"Well, you must go first, " said Joyce, "then if we do, Neil and I canstep on you. "

Tommy chuckled, and sitting down on the bank imitated Joyce's example, rolling his trousers up over the knee. I followed suit, and then, gathering up our various belongings, we started off gingerly acrossthe mud. 

Tommy led the way, his shoes slung over his shoulder, and a tin ofparaffin in each hand. He evidently knew the lie of the land, for hepicked out the firmest patches with remarkable dexterity, keepingon looking back to make sure that Joyce and I were following in hisfootsteps. It was nasty, sloppy walking at the best, however, forevery step one took one went in with a squelch right up to the ankle, and I think we had all had pretty well enough by the time we reachedthe boat. Poor Joyce, indeed, was so exhausted that she had to sitdown on the lunch basket, while Tommy and I, by means of wading outinto the channel, managed to get hold of the dinghy. 

Our first job on getting aboard was to wash off the mud. We sat in arow along the deck with our feet over the side; Tommy flatly refusingto allow us any farther until we were all properly cleaned. Then, while Joyce was drying herself and putting on her shoes and stockings, he and I went down into the cabin and routed out a bottle of whiskyand a siphon of soda from somewhere under the floor. 

"What we want, " he observed, "is a good stiff peg all round"; and themotion being carried unanimously as far as Joyce and I were concerned, three good stiff pegs were accordingly despatched. 

"That's better, " said Tommy with a sigh. "Now we're on the safe side. There's many a good yachtsman died of cold through neglecting thesesimple precautions. " Then jumping up and looking round he addedcheerfully: "We shall be able to sail the whole way up; the wind'sdead east and likely to stay there. "

"I suppose you'll take her out on the engine, " I said. "This is a niceuseful ditch, but there doesn't seem to be much water in it for fancywork. "

Tommy nodded. "You go and get in the anchor, " he said, "and I'll seeif I can persuade her to start. She'll probably break my arm, butthat's a detail. "

He opened a locker at the back of the well, and squatted down in frontof it, while I climbed along the deck to the bows and proceededto hand in several fathoms of wet and slimy chain. I had scarcelyconcluded this unpleasant operation, when with a sudden loud hum theengine began working, and the next moment we were slowly throbbing ourway forwards down the centre of the channel. 

The Ray runs right down to Southend Pier, but there are several narrowopenings out of it connecting with the river. Through one of theseTommy steered his course, bringing us into the main stream a fewhundred yards down from where we had been lying. Then, turning herround, he handed the tiller over to Joyce, and clambered up alongsideof me on to the roof of the cabin. 

"Come on, Neil, " he said. "I've had enough of this penny steamerbusiness. Let's get out the sails and shove along like gentlemen. "

The _Betty's_ rig was not a complicated one. It consisted of amainsail, a jib, and a spinnaker, and in a very few minutes we had setall three of them and were bowling merrily upstream with the dinghybobbing and dipping behind us. Tommy jumped down and switched off theengine, while Joyce, resigning the tiller to me, climbed up and seatedherself on the boom of the mainsail. She had taken off her hat, andher hair gleamed in the sunshine like copper in the firelight. 

I don't think we did much talking for the first few miles: at least Iknow I didn't. There is no feeling in the way of freedom quite so fineas scudding along in a small ship with a good breeze behind you; andafter being cooped up for three years in a prison cell I drank in thesensation like a man who has been almost dying of thirst might gulpdown his first draught of water. The mere tug of the tiller beneath myhand filled me with a kind of fierce delight, while the splash ofthe water as it rippled past the sides of the boat seemed to me thebravest and sweetest music I had ever heard. 

I think Joyce and Tommy realized something of what I was feeling, forneither of them made any real attempt at conversation. Now and thenthe latter would jump up to haul in or let out the main sheet alittle, and once or twice he pointed out some slight alteration whichhad been recently made in the buoying of the river. Joyce sat quitestill for the most part, either smiling happily at me, or elsewatching the occasional ships and barges that we passed, most of whichwere just beginning to get under way. 

We had rounded Canvey Island and left Hole Haven some little distancebehind us, when Tommy, who was leaning over the side staring outahead, suddenly turned back to me. 

"There's someone coming round the point in a deuce of a hurry, " heremarked. "Steam launch from the look of it. Better give 'em a wideberth, or we'll have their wash aboard. "

I bent down and took a quick glance under the spinnaker boom. A coupleof hundred yards ahead a long, white, vicious-looking craft was racingswiftly towards us, throwing up a wave on either side of her bows thatspread out fanwise across the river. 

I shoved down the helm, and swung the _Betty_ a little off her courseso as to give them plenty of room to go by. They came on withoutslackening speed in the least, and passed us at a pace which Iestimated roughly to be about sixteen knots an hour. I caught amomentary glimpse of a square-shouldered man with a close-trimmedauburn beard crouching in the stern, and then the next moment a wavebroke right against our bows, drenching all three of us in a cloud offlying spray. 

Tommy swore vigorously. "That's the kind of river-hog who ought to bechoked, " he said. "If I--"

He was interrupted by a sudden exclamation from Joyce. She had jumpedup laughing when the spray swept over her, and now, holding on to therigging, she was pointing excitedly to something just ahead of us. 

"Quick, Tommy!" she said. "There's a man in the water--drowning. They've swamped his boat. "

In a flash Tommy had leaped to the side. "Keep her going, " he shoutedto me. "We're heading straight for him. " Then scrambing aft he grabbedhold of the tow rope and swiftly hauled the dinghy alongside. 

"I'll pick him up, Tommy, " I said quietly. "You look after the boat:you know her better than I do. "

He nodded, and calling to Joyce to take over the tiller sprang up onto the deck ready to lower the sails. I cast off the painter, all butone turn, and handing the end to Joyce, told her to let it go as soonas I shouted. Then, pulling the dinghy right up against the side ofthe boat, I waited my chance and dropped down into her. 

I was just getting out the sculls, when a sudden shout from Tommy of"There he is!" made me look hurriedly round. About twenty yards away aman was splashing feebly in the water, making vain efforts to reach anoar that was floating close beside him. 

"Let her go, Joyce!" I yelled, and the next moment I was tuggingfuriously across the intervening space with the loose tow ropetrailing behind me. 

I was only just in time. Almost exactly as I reached the man hesuddenly gave up struggling, and with a faint gurgling sort of crydisappeared beneath the water. I leaned out of the boat, and plungingmy arm in up to the shoulder, clutched him by the collar. 

"No, you don't, Bertie, " I said cheerfully. "Not this journey. "

It's a ticklish business dragging a half-drowned man into a dinghywithout upsetting it, but by getting him down aft, I at last managedto hoist him up over the gunwale. He came in like some great wet fish, and I flopped him down in the stern sheets. Then with a deep breath Isat down myself. I was feeling a bit pumped. 

For a moment or two my "catch" lay where he was, blowing, gasping, grunting, and spitting out mouthfuls of dirty water. He was a littleweazened man of middle age, with a short grizzled beard. Except fora pair of fairly new sea-boots, he was dressed in old nondescriptclothes which could not have taken much harm even from the Thames mud. Indeed, on the whole, I should think their recent immersion had donethem good. 

"Well, " I said encouragingly, "how do you feel?"

With a big effort he raised himself on his elbow. "Right enough, guv'nor, " he gasped, "right enough. " Then, sinking back again, headded feebly: "If you see them oars o' mine, you might pick 'em up. "

There was a practical touch about this that rather appealed to me. Isat up, and, looking round, discovered the _Betty_ about forty yardsaway. Tommy had got the sails down and set the engine going, and hewas already turning her round to come back and pick us up. I waved myhand to him--a greeting which he returned with a triumphant hail. 

Standing up, I inspected the surrounding water for any sign of myguest's belongings. I immediately discovered both oars, which weredrifting upstream quite close to one another and only a few yardsaway; but except for them there was no sign of wreckage. His boat andeverything else in it had vanished as completely as a submarine. 

I salvaged the oars, however, and had just got them safely on board, when the _Betty_ came throbbing up, and circled neatly round us. Tommy, who was steering, promptly shut down the engine to its slowestpace, and reaching up I grabbed hold of Joyce's hand, which she heldout to me, and pulled the dinghy alongside. 

"Very nice, Tommy, " I said. "Lipton couldn't have done it better. "

"How's the poor man?" asked Joyce, looking down pityingly at myprostrate passenger. 

At the sound of her voice the latter roused himself from his recumbentposition, and made a shaky effort to sit up straight. 

"He'll be all right when he's got a little whisky inside him, " I said. "Come on, Tommy; you catch hold, and I'll pass him over. "

I stooped down, and, taking him round the waist, lifted him right upover the gunwale of the _Betty_, where Tommy received him rather likea man accepting a sack of coals. Then, catching hold of the tow rope, I jumped up myself, and made the dinghy fast to a convenient cleat. 

Tommy dumped down his burden on one of the well seats. 

"You've had a precious narrow squeak, my friend, " he observedpleasantly. 

The man nodded. "If you hadn't 'a come along as you did, sir, I'd 'avebin dead by now--dead as a dog-fish. " Then turning round he shook hisgnarled fist over the _Betty's_ stern in the direction of the vanishedlaunch. "Sunk me wi' their blarsted wash, " he quavered; "that's whatthey done. "

"Well, accidents will happen, " I said; "but they were certainly goingmuch too fast. "

"Accidents!" he repeated bitterly; "this warn't no accident. They doneit a purpose--the dirty Dutchmen. "

"Sunk you deliberately!" exclaimed Tommy. "What on earth makes youthink that?"

A kind of half-cunning, half-cautious look came into our visitor'sface. 

"Mebbe I knows too much to please 'em, " he muttered, shaking his head. "Mebbe they'd be glad to see old Luke Gow under the water. "

I thought for a moment that the shock of the accident had made himsilly, but before I could speak Joyce came out of the cabin carryinghalf a tumbler of neat whisky. 

"You get that down your neck, " said Tommy, "and you'll feel like atwo-year-old. "

I don't know if whisky is really the correct antidote for Thameswater, but at all events our guest accepted the glass and shifted itscontents without a quiver. As soon as he had finished Tommy took himby the arm and helped him to his feet. 

"Now come along into the cabin, " he said, "and I'll see if I can fixyou up with some dry kit. " Then turning to me he added: "You might getthe sails up again while we're dressing, Neil; it's a pity to wasteany of this breeze. "

I nodded, and resigning the tiller to Joyce, climbed up on to thedeck, and proceeded to reset both the mainsail and the spinnaker, which were lying in splendid confusion along the top of the cabin. I had just concluded this operation when Tommy and our visitorreappeared--the latter looking rather comic in a grey jersey, a pairof white flannel trousers, and an old dark blue cricketing blazer andcap. 

"I've been telling our friend Mr. Gow that he's got to sue thesechaps, " said Tommy. "He knows who they are: they're a couple ofGermans who've got a bungalow on Sheppey, close to that little creekwe used to put in at. "

"You make 'em pay, " continued Tommy. "They haven't a leg to stand on, rushing past like that. They as near as possible swamped us. "

Mr. Gow cast a critical eye round the _Betty_. "Ay! and you'd take adeal o' swampin, ' mister. She's a fine manly little ship, an' that's afact. " Then he paused. "It's hard on a man to lose his boat, " he addedquietly; "specially when 'is livin' depends on 'er. "

"What do you do?" I asked. "What's your job?"

Mr. Gow hesitated for a moment. "Well, in a manner o' speakin', Ihaven't got what you might call no reg'lar perfession, sir. I justpicks up what I can outer the river like. I rows folks out to theirboats round Tilbury way, and at times I does a bit of eel fishing--ormaybe in summer there's a job lookin' arter the yachts at Leigh andSouthend. It all comes the same to me, sir. "

"Do you know Cunnock Creek?" asked Tommy. 

"Cunnock Crick!" repeated Mr. Gow. "Why, I should think I did, sir. Mycottage don't lie more than a mile from Cunnock Crick. Is that whereyou're makin' for?"

Tommy nodded. "We were thinking of putting in there, " he said. "Isthere enough water?"

"Plenty o' water, sir--leastways there will be by the time we get up. It runs a bit dry at low tide, but there's always a matter o' three tofour feet in the middle o' the channel. "

This was excellent news, for the _Betty_ with her centre-board up onlydrew about three feet six, so except at the very lowest point thecreek would always be navigable. 

"Is it a safe place to leave a boat for the night with no one onboard?" inquired Tommy. 

Mr. Gow shook his head. "I wouldn't go as far as that, sir. None o'the reg'lar boatmen or fishermen wouldn't touch 'er, but they're athievin' lot o' rascals, some o' them Tilbury folk. If they happenedto come across 'er, as like as not they'd strip 'er gear, to saynothin' of the fittings. " Then he paused. "But if you was thinkin' o'layin' 'er up there for the night, I'd see no one got monkeyin' aroundwith 'er. I'd sleep aboard meself. "

"Well, that's a bright notion, " said Tommy, turning to me. "What doyou think, Neil?"

"I think it's quite sound, " I answered. "Besides, he can help me lookafter her for the next two or three days. I shall be too busy to getover to the creek much myself. " Then putting my hand in my pocketI pulled out Joyce's envelope, and carefully extracted one of thefive-pound notes from inside. "Look here, Mr. Gow!" I added, "we'llstrike a bargain. If you'll stay with the _Betty_ for a day or so, I'll give you this fiver to buy or hire another boat with until youcan get your compensation out of our German friends. I shall be livingclose by, but I shan't have time to keep my eye on her properly. "

Mr. Gow accepted the proposal and the note with alacrity. "I'm sureI'm very much obliged to you, sir, " he said gratefully. "I'll just runup to my cottage when we land to get some dry clothes, and then I'llcome straight back and take 'er over. She won't come to no harm, notwith Luke Gow on board; you can reckon on that, sir. "

He touched his cap, and climbing up out of the well, made his wayforward, as though to signalize the fact that he was adopting theprofession of our paid hand. 

"I'm so glad, " said Joyce quietly. "I shan't feel half so nervous nowI know you'll have someone with you. "

Tommy nodded. "It's a good egg, " he observed. "I think old whiskersis by way of being rather grateful. " Then he paused. "But what swinethose German beggars must be not to have stopped! They must have seenwhat had happened. "

"I wonder what he meant by hinting that they'd done it purposely, " Isaid. 

Tommy laughed. "I don't know. I asked him in the cabin, but hewouldn't say any more. I think he was only talking through his hat. "

"I'm not so sure, " I said doubtfully. "He seemed to have some idea atthe back of his mind. I shall sound him about it later on. "

With the wind holding good and a strong tide running, the _Betty_scudded along at such a satisfactory pace that by half-past twelvewe were already within sight of Gravesend Reach. There is no moredesolate-looking bit of the river than the stretch which immediatelyprecedes that crowded fairway. It is bounded on each side by a low seawall, behind which a dreary expanse of marsh and salting spreads awayinto the far distance. Here and there the level monotony is broken bya solitary hut or a disused fishing hulk, but except for the passingtraffic and the cloud of gulls perpetually wheeling and screamingoverhead there is little sign of life or movement. 

"You see them two or three stakes stickin' up in the water?" remarkedMr. Gow suddenly, pointing away towards the right-hand bank. 

I nodded. 

"Well, you keep 'em in line with that little clump o' trees be'ind, an' you'll just fetch the crick nicely. "

He and Tommy went forward to take in the spinnaker, while, followingthe marks he had indicated, I brought the _Betty_ round towards herdestination. Approaching the shore I saw that the entrance to thecreek was a narrow channel between two mud-flats, both of which werepresumably covered at high tide. I called to Joyce to wind up thecentre-board to its fullest extent, and then, steering very carefully, edged my way in along this drain, while Mr. Gow leaned over to leewarddiligently heaving the lead. 

"Plenty o' water, " he kept on calling out encouragingly. "Keep 'ergoin', sir, keep 'er goin'. Inside that beacon, now up with 'er a bit. That's good!"

He discarded the lead and hurried to the anchor. I swung her roundhead to wind, Tommy let down the mainsail, and the next moment webrought up with a grace and neatness that would almost have satisfieda Solent skipper. 

We were in the very centre of a little muddy creek with high bankson either side of it. There was no other boat within sight; indeed, although we were within three miles of Tilbury, anything more desolatethan our surroundings it would be difficult to imagine. 

Mr. Gow assisted us to furl the sails and put things straightgenerally, and then coming aft addressed himself to me. 

"I don't know what time you gen'lemen might be thinkin' o' leavin';but if you could put me ashore now I could be back inside of thehour. "

"Right you are, " I said. "I'll do that straight away. "

We both got into the dinghy, and in a few strokes I pulled him to thebank, where he stepped out on to the mud. Then he straightened himselfand touched his cap. 

"I haven't never thanked you properly yet, sir, for what you done, " heobserved. "You saved my life, and Luke Gow ain't the sort o' man toforget a thing like that. "

I backed the boat off into the stream. "Well, if you'll save ourproperty from the Tilbury gentlemen, " I said, "we'll call it quits. "

When I got back to the ship I found Tommy and Joyce makingpreparations for lunch. 

"We thought you'd like something before you pushed off, " said Tommy. "One can scout better on a full tummy. "

"You needn't apologize for feeding me, " I replied cheerfully. "I've alot of lost time to make up in the eating line. "

It was a merry meal, that little banquet of ours in the _Betty's_cabin. The morning's sail had given us a first-rate appetite, and inspite of the somewhat unsettled state of our affairs we were all threein the best of spirits. Indeed, I think the unknown dangers thatsurrounded us acted as a sort of stimulant to our sense of pleasure. When you are sitting over a powder mine it is best to enjoy everypleasant moment as keenly as possible. You never know when you may getanother. 

At last I decided that it was time for me to start. 

"I tell you what I think I'll do, Tommy, " I said. "I'll see if there'sany way along outside the sea-wall. I could get right up to the placethen without being spotted, if there should happen to be any onethere. "

Tommy nodded. "That's the idea, " he said. "And look here: I broughtthis along for you. I don't suppose you'll want it, but it's a usefulsort of thing to have on the premises. "

He pulled out a small pocket revolver, loaded in each chamber, andhanded it over to me. 

I accepted it rather doubtfully. "Thanks, Tommy, " I said, "but Iexpect I should do a lot more damage with my fists. "

"Oh, please take it, Neil, " said Joyce simply. 

"Very well, " I answered, and stuffing it into my side pocket, Ibuttoned up my coat. "Now, Tommy, " I said; "if you'll put me ashorewe'll start work. "

It was about a hundred yards to the mouth of the creek, and with thetide running hard against us it was quite a stiff little pull. Tommy, however, insisted on taking me the whole way down, just to see whetherthere was any chance of getting along outside the sea-wall. We landedat the extreme point, and jumping out on to the mud, I picked my waycarefully round the corner and stared up the long desolate stretchof river frontage. The tide was still some way out, and although thegoing was not exactly suited to patent-leather boots, it was evidentlyquite possible for any one who was not too particular. 

I turned round and signalled to Tommy that I was all right; then, keeping in as close as I could to the sea-wall, I set off on myjourney. It was slow walking, for every now and then I had to climb upthe slope to get out of the way of some hopelessly soft patch of mud. On one of these occasions, when I had covered about three-quarters ofa mile, I peered cautiously over the top of the bank. Some littleway ahead of me, right out in the middle of the marsh, I saw what Iimagined to be my goal. It was a tiny brick building with a largewooden shed alongside, the latter appearing considerably the newer andmore sound of the two. 

I was inspecting it with the natural interest that one takes in one'sfuture country house, when quite suddenly I saw the door of thebuilding opening. A moment later a man stepped out on to the grass, and looked quickly round as though to make certain that there was noone watching. Although the distance was about three hundred yards Irecognized him at once. 

It was my friend of the restaurant--Mr. Bruce Latimer. 

CHAPTER XVI

CONFRONTING THE INTRUDER

The discovery was a beautifully unexpected one, but I was getting usedto surprises by this time. I bobbed down at once behind the sea-wall, and crouched there for a moment wondering what was the best thing todo. After what I had found out it seemed hardly probable that Latimercould be there in the capacity of McMurtrie's caretaker; but if not, how on earth had he hit upon the place, and what was he doing prowlingabout inside it?

Raising myself up again with extreme care I had another look throughthe grass. Latimer had left the building and was stooping downin front of the door of the shed, his attention being obviouslyconcentrated on the lock. I was rather a long way off, but as far as Icould see he appeared to be trying to slip back the bolt with the aidof a piece of wire. 

I think that decided me. However dangerous it might be to show myself, it seemed still more risky to allow some one of whose motives I wasat present completely ignorant to inspect my future workshop. Almostbefore I realized what I was doing I had slipped over the bank anddropped down on to the marsh. 

The slight noise I made must have reached Latimer's ears, for hewheeled round with amazing promptness. At the same instant his righthand travelled swiftly into the side pocket of his coat--a gesturewhich I found sufficiently illuminating in view of what I was carryingmyself in a similar place. When he saw how far off I was he seemedto hesitate for a moment; then pulling out a case he coolly anddeliberately lit himself a cigarette, and after taking a quick glanceround started to stroll slowly towards me. I noticed that he stillkept his hand in his side pocket. 

My mind was working pretty rapidly as we approached each other. Whatwould happen seemed to me to depend chiefly upon whether Latimer hadseen me in the restaurant, and had guessed that it was I who had senthim the message. If not, it struck me that he must be wondering ratherbadly who I was and what connection I had with the hut. 

When we were still twenty yards apart he pulled up and waited for me, smoking his cigarette with every appearance of tranquil enjoyment. 

"I beg your pardon, sir, " he said in a pleasant, lazy voice, "but Iwonder if you could tell me who this building belongs to?"

I came to a halt right in front of him. "Well, " I replied boldly, "until I saw you coming out of the door just now I was under theimpression that I was the legal tenant. "

He smiled, and taking off his hat made me a slight bow. 

"I must really beg your pardon, " he said. "I was trespassingshamelessly. The fact of the matter is that I am acting on behalf ofthe District Surveyor, and finding the door open and being unable toget any answer, I took the liberty of looking inside. "

If ever in my life I felt confident that a man was telling me a lie itwas at that moment, but my belief was certainly due to no fault of Mr. Latimer's. He spoke with a coolness and an apparent candour that wouldhave done credit to a Cabinet Minister. 

"The District Surveyor!" I repeated. "And what does that distinguishedperson want with me?"

Mr. Latimer made a gesture towards the hut with his disengaged hand. "It's nothing of any real importance, " he said, "but you appear tohave been making some slight alterations here. This wooden building--"

"It's only a temporary structure, " I interrupted. 

He nodded. "Quite so. Still there are certain bye-laws which we haveto see attended to. The Surveyor happened to notice it the other daywhen he was passing, and he asked me to find out the exact purpose itwas intended for. We are bound to make some restrictions about woodenbuildings on account of the extra chance of their catching fire. "

The idea of the District Surveyor being seriously perturbed over thepossibility of my being roasted alive struck me as rather improbable, but I was careful not to give any impression of doubting thestatement. 

"As a matter of fact, " I said, "there is no chance of a tragedyof that sort. I have taken the place to make a few experimentsin connection with photography. The stuff I am using is quiteuninflammable. "

All the time I was speaking I was watching him carefully to see ifI could detect the least sign of his recognizing me. For any suchindication, however, we might have been utter strangers. 

He accepted my falsehood as politely as I had received his. 

"Well, in that case, " he said, with a smile, "there is really no needfor me to bother you any further. I will tell the Surveyor that youare a strictly law-abiding citizen. Meanwhile"--he stepped back andagain raised his hat--"let me apologize once more for having brokeninto your place. "

Whether there was any deliberate irony in his remark I was unable toguess; his manner at all events gave no hint of it. 

"You needn't apologize, " I returned artlessly. "It was my own faultfor leaving the door open. "

I thought I saw the faintest possible quiver at the corner of hislips, but if so it was gone again at once. 

"Yes, " he said gravely. "You will find it safer to keep the placelocked up. Good-day, sir. "

"Good-day, " I replied, and turning deliberately away from him Isauntered off towards the hut. 

I did not look round until I had reached the door; and even then Imade a pretence of dropping my keys and stooping to pick them up. Theprecaution, however, seemed a little superfluous. Mr. Latimer was somethirty or forty yards away, walking inland across the marsh in thedirection of Tilbury. I couldn't help wondering whether he had noticedthe mast of the _Betty_, which was just visible in the distance, sticking up demurely above the bank of the creek. 

I stepped inside the hut--it was really little more than a hut--andclosed the door. The first impression I received was one of being backin my prison cell. The only light in the place filtered in through atiny and very dirty window, which looked out in the direction thatLatimer had taken. For the rest, as soon as my eyes were used to thegloom, I made out a camp bed with blankets on it, a small wooden tableand chair, a jug and basin, and in the farther corner of the room amiscellaneous collection of cooking and eating utensils. There wasalso a large wooden box which I imagined to contain food. 

I took in all this practically at a glance, for my mind was still toooccupied with my late visitor to trouble much about anything else. 

I sat down on the bed and tried to think out the situation clearly. There could be no doubt that Latimer had been spying on the place, if such an unpleasant word could be applied to a gentleman who wassupposed to be in Government service. The question was, what did hesuspect? I had pretty good evidence that he was up against McMurtrieand the others in some shape or other, and presumably it was onaccount of my connection with them that I had been favoured with hisattentions. Still, this didn't seem to make the situation any the morecheerful for me. If Latimer was really a secret-service man, as someone had told Tommy, it stood to reason that I must be assisting insome particularly shady and dangerous sort of enterprise. I had nospecial objection to this from the moral point of view, but on theother hand I certainly didn't want to throw away my hardly-won libertybefore I had had the satisfaction of settling accounts with George. 

I debated with myself whether it would be best to let McMurtrie knowthat the place was being watched. To a certain extent his interests inthe matter seemed to be identical with mine, but my mistrust of himwas still strong enough to make me hesitate. Beyond his bare word andthat of Sonia I had no proof as yet that he intended to play straightwith me. 

One thing appeared certain, and that was that Latimer had failed torecognize me as the man who had sent him the warning at Parelli's. Ina way this gave me an advantage, but it was a forlorn enough sort ofadvantage in view of the unknown dangers by which I was surrounded. 

I got up off the bed, feeling anything but comfortable, and going tothe door had another look round. Latimer had disappeared behind thethin belt of trees that fringed the Tilbury road, and so far as Icould see there was no one else about. Getting out my keys, I walkedalong to the shed and opened the door. 

If my living accommodation was a trifle crude, McMurtrie had certainlymade up for it here. He had evidently carried out my instructionswith the most minute care and an absolute disregard for expense. Leadtanks, sinks, chemicals, an adequate water supply in the shape ofa pump--everything I had asked for seemed to have been provided. Ilooked round the large, clean, well-lighted place with a sensation ofintense satisfaction. The mere sight of all these preparations made meache to begin work, for I was consumed with the impatience that anyinventor would feel who had been compelled to leave a big discovery onthe very verge of completion. 

Coming out, I closed the door again, and carefully turned the keybehind me. Then walking back to the hut I locked that up as well. Ihadn't the faintest belief in Latimer's story about finding the placeopen, and apart from making things safe I certainly didn't want toleave any traces of my surprise visit. From what I knew of McMurtrieI felt sure that he had left somebody in charge, and that in allprobability Latimer had merely taken advantage of their temporaryabsence. 

After a last glance all round, to make sure that the coast was stillclear, I walked rapidly down to the sea-wall and scrambled up on tothe top. The tide had risen a bit, but there was just room to getalong, so jumping down I set off on my return journey. 

There was something very cheering and reassuring in the sight of the_Betty_ riding easily at her anchor, as I made my way round the mouthof the creek. Tommy and Joyce were both on deck: the former in hisshirt-sleeves, swabbing down his new paint with a wet mop. Directlyhe saw me he abandoned the job to Joyce, and with a wave of his handproceeded to get out the dinghy. A minute later he was pulling for theshore. 

"All serene?" he inquired calmly, as he ran the boat up to where I wasstanding. 

"Yes, " I said. "We needn't hurry; there's no one chasing me. " Thenpushing her off the mud I jumped in. "I'll tell you the news, " Iadded, "when we get on board. "

We headed off for the _Betty_, and as we came alongside and I handedup the painter to Joyce, I felt rather like the raven must havedone when he returned to the Ark. As far as peace and security wereconcerned, my outside world seemed to be almost as unsatisfactory ashis. 

"How have you got on?" demanded Joyce eagerly. 

I climbed up on to the deck. 

"I've had quite an interesting time, " I said. Then I paused and lookedround the boat. "Is Mr. Gow back?" I inquired. 

Tommy shook his head. "Not yet. I expect he's blueing some of thatfiver in anticipation. "

"Come and sit down, then, " I said, "and I'll tell you all about it. "

They both seated themselves beside me on the edge of the well, andin as few words as possible I let them have the full story of myadventures. At the first mention of Latimer's name Tommy indulged in alow whistle, but except for that non-committal comment they listenedto me in silence. 

Joyce was the first to speak when I had finished. 

"It's hateful, isn't it?" she said. "I feel as if we were fighting inthe dark. "

"That's just what we are doing, " answered Tommy, "but we're letting ina bit of light by degrees though. " Then he turned to me. "McMurtrie'sgot some game on, evidently, and this chap Latimer's dropped on it. That was why they tried to put him out of the way. "

"Yes, " I said, "and if Latimer is really in the secret service, itmust be a precious queer sort of game too. "

Tommy nodded. "I wonder if they're anarchists, " he said, after ashort pause. "Perhaps they want your powder to blow up the Houses ofParliament or the Law Courts with. "

I laughed shortly. "No, " I said. "Whatever McMurtrie's after, it'snothing so useful and unselfish as that. If I thought it was Ishouldn't worry. "

"Well, there's only one thing to do, " observed Tommy, after a pause, "and that's to go and look up Latimer, as I suggested. You're sure hedidn't recognize you?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm sure of nothing about him, " I replied, "except that he's a superb liar. "

"We must risk it anyhow, " said Tommy. "He's the only person who knowsanything of what's going on, and he evidently wants to find out whosent him that note, or he wouldn't have answered it as he did. He'llhave to give me some sort of explanation if I go and see him. Ishall rub it into him that my supposed pal is a perfectly sensible, unimaginative sort of chap--and anyway people don't invent a yarn likethat. "

"Look!" interrupted Joyce suddenly. "Isn't that Mr. Gow coming alongby those trees?"

She pointed away down the creek, and following her direction I saw thefigure of our trusty retainer trudging back towards the ship, with abundle over his shoulder. He had exchanged Tommy's picturesque outfitfor some garments of his own, more in keeping with his new anddignified position. 

"I'll pick him up, " I said; "but what are we going to do about gettingback? We had better not try Tilbury, or we may run into Latimer; itwould put the hat on everything if he saw us together. "

Tommy consulted his watch. "It's just half-past three now, " he said. "I vote we run across to Gravesend and catch the train there. OldWhiskers can bring the boat back here after we've gone--if he's stillsober. "

"Of course he's sober, " said Joyce; "look at the beautiful way he'swalking. "

I should hardly have applied quite such a complimentary adjective toMr. Gow's gait myself, but all the same Joyce's diagnosis proved tobe quite correct. Mr. Gow was sober--most undoubtedly and creditablysober. I rowed to the bank, and brought him on board, and when we toldhim of our plans he expressed himself as being perfectly competent tomanage the return journey single-handed. 

"You leave 'er to me, " he remarked consolingly. "I shan't want nohelp--not to bring 'er in here. Some people don't hold with beingalone in a boat, but that ain't Luke Gow's way. "

He went forward to get up the anchor, while Tommy and I occupiedourselves with the exciting sport of trying to start the engine. Itwent off at last with its usual vicious kick, and a few minutes laterwe were throbbing our way out of the creek into the main river. 

The tide was right at its highest, and down the centre of the fairwaystraggled a long procession of big hooting steamers, sluggishbrown-sailed barges, and small heavily-burdened tugs, puffing outtheir usual trails of black smoke. One felt rather like a terriertrying to cross Piccadilly, but by waiting for our chance we dodgedthrough without disaster, and pulled up in a comparatively tranquilspot off the Gravesend landing-stage. 

Tommy signalled to one of the boatmen who were hanging about the stepswaiting for stray passengers. 

"This chap will take us off, " he said, turning to Mr. Gow. "You pushstraight back while the engine's running; she usually stops when we'vegot about as far as this. "

"And I'll come over to the creek some time tomorrow, " I added; thoughin my present circumstances a confident prophecy of any kind seemed atrifle rash. 

We went ashore and stood for a moment on the stage watching the_Betty_ thread her course back through the traffic. Mr. Gow seemedto handle her with perfect confidence, and relieved on this point weturned round and set off for the station. 

We found ourselves in luck's way. An unusually obliging train was dueto start in ten minutes' time, and as before we managed to secure anempty compartment. 

"I tell you what I want you to do when we get back to town, Joyce, " Isaid. "I want you to help me buy a hat. "

"What's the matter with the one you're wearing?" demanded Tommy. "Itjust suits your savage style of beauty. "

"Oh, this new one isn't for me, " I explained. "It's for a lady--a ladyfriend, as we say. "

"I didn't know you had any, " said Joyce, "except me and Sonia. "

I smiled arrogantly. "You underrate my attractions, " I replied. "Haven't I told you about Miss Gertie 'Uggins?" Then I proceeded tosketch in Gertrude as well as I could, finishing up with the story ofher spirited determination to spend the five shillings I had given heron a really fashionable head-dress. 

Tommy slapped his leg and chuckled. "I believe any woman would starveherself to death for something new to wear, " he remarked. 

"Of course she would, " said Joyce with spirit--"any decent woman. "Then she turned to me. "I think it's sweet, Neil; I shall give her anew hat myself, just because she loves you. "

Tommy laughed again. "You'll find that an expensive hobby to keep up, Joyce, " he said. "You'll have to start a bonnet-shop. "

All the way back to town we talked and joked in much the same strain, as cheerfully as though none of us had a care in the world. If therehad been a stranger in the carriage listening to us, he would, Ithink, have found it impossible to believe that I was Neil Lyndon, the much-wanted convict, and that Tommy and Joyce were engaged in thecriminal pursuit of helping me avoid the police. No doubt, as I saidbefore, the very danger and excitement of our position accounted tosome extent for our high spirits, but in my case they were due evenmore to a natural reaction from the misery of the last three years. Ever since I had met Tommy and Joyce again I seemed to have beenshedding flakes off the crust of bitterness and hatred which had builtitself up round my soul. 

Even my feelings towards George were slowly becoming less murderous. I was still as determined as ever to get at the truth of his amazingtreachery if I could; but the savage loathing that I had previouslycherished for him was gradually giving place to a more healthysensation of contempt. I felt now that, whatever his motives may havebeen, there would be far more satisfaction in kicking him than inkilling him. Besides, the former process was one that under favourablecircumstances could be repeated indefinitely. 

"You're spending the evening with me, Neil, of course, " observedTommy, as we drew into Charing Cross. 

I nodded. "We'll take a taxi and buy the hat somewhere, and then dropJoyce at Chelsea. After that I am open to any dissipation. "

"Only keep away from the Savoy, " said Joyce. "I am making my greatsurrender there, and it would hamper me to have you and Tommy about. "

We promised to respect her privacy, and then, getting out of thetrain, which had drawn up in the station, we hailed a taxi and climbedquickly into it. Charing Cross is the last place to dawdle in if youhave any objection to being recognized. 

"Shall we be able to write to you?" asked Joyce. "I shall want to tellyou about George, and Tommy will want to let you know how he gets onwith Latimer. Of course I'm coming down to the boat in a day or two;but all sorts of things may happen before then. "

I thought rapidly for a moment. "Write to me at the Tilburypost-office, " I said. "Only don't make a mistake and address theletter to Neil Lyndon. Too much excitement isn't good for a Governmentofficial. "

Tommy laughed. "It's just the sort of damn silly thing I shouldprobably have done, " he said. "Can't you imagine the postmaster's facewhen he read the envelope? I should like to paint it as a Christmassupplement to the _Graphic_. "

"Where did you tell the man to stop, Joyce?" I asked. 

"Holland's, " said Joyce. "I am going to buy Gertie a really splendidhat--something with birds and flowers on it. I am sure I know justwhat she'll think beautiful. I suppose I had better tell them to sendit round to you at Edith Terrace. You won't want to carry it aboutLondon. "

"Not unless Tommy likes to wear it, " I said. "I think I'm disguisedenough as it is. "

We pulled up outside Mr. Holland's imposing shop-front, and Joyce, who was sitting next the door, got up from her seat. Then she leanedforward and kissed me. 

"Good-bye, Neil, " she said. "I shall come down on Tuesday and gostraight to the _Betty_, unless I hear anything special from youbefore then. " She paused. "And oh, dear Neil, " she added, "you will becareful, won't you? If anything was to happen now, I believe I shouldkill George and jump into the Thames. "

"In that case, " I said, "I shall be discretion itself. I couldn'tallow George anything like so charming an end; it would be quitewasted on him. "

Joyce smiled happily and, opening the door, jumped out on to thepavement. "You keep the taxi on, " she said. "I shall take a bus home. I can't be hurried over buying a hat--even if it's for Gertie. Whereshall I tell the man to go to?"

"Better say the Studio, " answered Tommy. "We both want a wash and adrink before we start dissipating. "

For an escaped murderer and his guilty accessory, I am afraid that ourdissipation proved to be rather a colourless affair. Tommy had alwayshad simple tastes in the way of amusement, and even if it had beensafe for us to parade the West End in each other's company, Icertainly had no wish to waste my time over a theatre or anything ofthat sort. I found that real life supplied me with all the drama Ineeded just at present. 

What we actually did was to dine quietly in a little out-of-the-wayrestaurant just off Sloane Square, and then play billiards for theremainder of the evening in a room above a neighbouring tavern. We hadseveral most exciting games. In old days I had been able to beatTommy easily, but owing to a regrettable oversight on the part of theGovernment there is no table at Princetown, and in consequence I wasrather short of practice. 

Afterwards Tommy walked with me as far as Victoria, where we discussedsuch arrangements for the future as we were in a position to make. 

"I'll write to you, anyway, Neil, " he said, "as soon as I've tackledLatimer; and I'll probably come down with Joyce on Tuesday. If youwant me any time before, send me a wire. "

I nodded. "You'll be more useful to me in London, Tommy, " I said. "All the threads of the business are up here. McMurtrie--Latimer--George"--I paused--"I'd give something to know what those three dobetween them, " I added regretfully. 

Tommy gripped my hand. "It's all right, old son, " he said. "I'm notmuch of a believer in inspirations and all that sort of rot, butsomehow or other I'm dead certain we're going to win out. I've had afeeling like that ever since the trial--and so has Joyce. "

"Thanks, Tommy, " I said briefly. "You'd give a jellyfish abackbone--you two. "

And with a last squeeze of the hand I left him standing there, and setoff across the station for Edith Terrace. 

It was close on midnight when I got back, and every one in the houseseemed to have gone to bed. The light had been put out in the hall, but the door of my sitting-room was partly open, and a small jet ofgas was flickering away over the fireplace. I turned this up and, looking round, discovered a large box with Holland's label on it, a note, and a half-sheet of paper--all decorating the table in thecentre of the room. 

I examined the half-sheet of paper first. It contained several dirtythumb-marks and the following message, roughly scrawled in pencil:

"sir the lady with the hat cum for you about for aclock i told her asyou was out and she rote this leter gerty. "

Hastily picking up the envelope, I slit open the flap, and pulled outthe "leter" from inside. It covered two sides, and was written inSonia's curious, sloping, foreign-looking hand. 

"I have to go away with my father until the end of next week. By thattime, if you have succeeded with your invention, there will be nothingto stop our plans. I would have explained everything to you today ifyou had been here. As it is, _on no account give your secret to anyone_ until I have seen you. I shall come down to Tilbury either onFriday or Saturday, and within a few hours we can be utterly beyondthe reach of any further danger or difficulties. Until then, mylover--SONIA. "

I read it through twice, and then slowly folding it up, thrust it backinto the envelope. 

"It seems to me, " I said, "that I'm going to have quite an interestinghouse-party. "

CHAPTER XVII

THE WORKSHOP ON THE MARSHES

I gave Gertie her hat next morning when she brought me up mybreakfast. It was a gorgeous thing--rather the shape of a dustman'shelmet, with a large scarlet bird nestling on one side of it, sheltered by some heavy undergrowth. Gertie's face, as I pulled it outof the box, was a study in about eight different emotions. 

"Oo--er, " she gasped faintly. "That ain't never for me. "

"Yes, it is, Gertrude, " I said. "It was specially chosen for you by alady of unimpeachable taste. "

I held it out to her, and she accepted it with shaking hands, like anewly-made peeress receiving her tiara. 

"My Gawd, " she whispered reverently; "ain't it just a dream!"

To be perfectly honest, it seemed to me more in the nature of anightmare, but wild horses wouldn't have dragged any such hostilecriticism out of me. 

"I think it will suit you very nicely, Gertie, " I said. "It's got justthat dash of colour which Edith Terrace wants. "

"Yer reely mean it?" she asked eagerly. "Yer reely think I'll look orlright in it? 'Course it do seem a bit funny like with this 'ere frock, but I got a green velveteen wot belonged to Mrs. Oldbury's niece. Itwon't 'alf go with that. "

"It won't indeed, " I agreed heartily. Then, looking up from my eggsand bacon, I added: "By the way, Gertie, I've never thanked you foryour letter. I had no idea you could, write so well. "

"Go on!" said Gertie doubtfully; "you're gettin' at me now. "

"No, I'm not, " I answered. "It was a very nice letter. It said justwhat you wanted to say and nothing more. That's the whole art of goodletter-writing. " Then a sudden idea struck me. "Look here, Gertie, " Iwent on, "will you undertake a little job for me if I explain it toyou?"

She nodded. "Oo--rather. I'd do any think for you. "

"Well, it's something I may want you to do for me after I've left. "

Her face fell. "You ain't goin' away from 'ere--not for good?"

"Not entirely for good, " I said. "I hope to do a certain amount ofharm to at least one person before I come back. " I paused. "It's justpossible, " I continued, "that after I've gone somebody may come tothe house and ask questions about me--how I spent my time while I washere, and that sort of thing. If they should happen to ask you, I wantyou to tell them that I used to stay in bed most of the day and go tothe theatre in the evening. Do you mind telling a lie for me?"

Gertie looked at me in obvious amazement. "I _don't_ think, " sheobserved. "Wotjer taike me for--a Sunday-school teacher?"

"No, Gertie, " I said gravely; "no girl with your taste in hats couldpossibly be a Sunday-school teacher. " Then pushing away my plate andlighting a cigarette, I added: "I'll leave you a stamped addressedenvelope and a telegraph form. You can send me the wire first to sayif any one has called, and then write me a line afterwards by posttelling me what they were like and what they said. "

"I can do that orl right, " she answered eagerly. "If they talks toMrs. Oldbury I'll listen at the keyhole. "

I nodded. "It's a practice that the best moralists condemn, " I said, "but after all, the recording angel does it. " Then getting up fromthe table, I added: "You might tell Mrs. Oldbury I should like to seeher. "

When that good lady arrived I acquainted her with the fact that Iintended to leave her house in about two hours' time. Any resentmentwhich she might have felt over this slightly abrupt departure waspromptly smoothed away by my offer to take on the rooms for at leastanother fortnight. I did this partly with the object of leaving apleasant impression behind me, and partly because I had a vague ideathat it might come in handy to have some sort of headquarters inLondon where I was known and recognized as Mr. James Nicholson. 

Having settled up this piece of business I sat down and wrote toMcMurtrie. It was a task which required a certain amount of care anddelicacy, but after two trial essays I succeeded in turning out thefollowing letter, which seemed to me about to meet the situation. 

"DEAR DR. McMURTRIE:

"As you have probably heard, I received your letter yesterday, and Iam making arrangements to go down to Tilbury tomorrow by the 11. 45. 

"Of course in a way I am sorry to leave London--it's extraordinarywhat a capacity for pleasure a prolonged residence in the countrygives one--but at the same time I quite agree with you that businessmust come first. 

"I shall start work directly I get down, and if all the things I askedfor in my list have been provided, I don't think it will be longbefore I have some satisfactory news for you. Unless I see you or hearfrom you before then I will write to the Hotel Russell directly thereis anything definite to communicate. 

"Meanwhile please give my kind regards to your amiable friend andcolleague, and also remember me to his charming daughter. 

"Believe me, "Yours sincerely, "JAMES NICHOLSON. "

With its combined touch of seriousness and flippancy, this appeared tome exactly the sort of letter that McMurtrie would expect me to write. I couldn't resist putting in the bit about his "amiable" friend, forthe recollection of Savaroff's manner towards me still rankled gentlyin my memory. Besides I had a notion it would rather amuse McMurtrie, whose more artistic mind must have been frequently distressed by hiscolleague's blustering surliness. 

I could think of nothing else which required my immediate attention, so going into my bedroom I proceeded to pack up my belongings. I putin everything I possessed with the exception of Savaroff's discardedgarments, for although I was keeping on the rooms I had no very robustfaith in my prospects of ever returning to them. Then, ringing thebell, I despatched Gertrude to fetch me a taxi, while I settled up mybill with Mrs. Oldbury. 

"An' seem' you've taken on the rooms, sir, " observed that lady, "I'opes it's to be a case of 'say orrivar an' not good-bye. '"

"I hope it is, Mrs. Oldbury, " I replied. "I shall come back if Ipossibly can, but one never knows what may happen in life. "

She shook her head sombrely. "Ah, you're right there, sir. An' curiousenough that's the very identical remark my late 'usband was ser fondo' makin'. I remember 'is sayin' it to me the very night before 'e wasknocked down by a bus. Knocked down in Westminister 'e was, and runnedover the body by both 'ind wheels. 'E never got over it--not as youmight say reely got over it. If ever 'e ate cheese after that italways give 'im a pain in 'is stomick. "

An apropos remark about "come wheel come woe" flashed into my mind, but before I could frame it in properly sympathetic language, a taxidrew up at the door with Gertie 'Uggins installed in state alongsidethe driver. 

Both she and Mrs. Oldbury stood on the step, and waved farewell to meas I drove down the street. I was quite sorry to leave them. I feltthat they both liked me in their respective ways, and my present listof amiably disposed acquaintances was so small that I objected tocurtailing it by the most humble member. 

All the way to Tilbury I occupied myself with the hackneyed butengrossing pursuit of pondering over my affairs. Apart from my ownprivate interest in the matter, which after all was a fairly poignantone, the mysterious adventure in which I was involved filled me witha profound curiosity. Latimer's dramatic re-entry on to the scene hadthrown an even more sinister complexion over the whole business thanit boasted before, and, like a man struggling with a jig-saw problem, I tried vainly to fit together the various pieces into some sort ofpossible solution. 

I was still engaged in this interesting occupation when the train raninto Tilbury station. Without waiting for a porter I collected myvarious belongings, and stepped out on to the platform. 

McMurtrie had told me in his letter that he would arrange for someone to meet me; and looking round I caught sight of a burly red-facedgentleman in a tight jacket and a battered straw hat, sullenly eyeingthe various passengers who had alighted. I walked straight up to him. 

"Are you waiting for me--Mr. James Nicholson?" I asked. 

He looked me up and down in a kind of familiar fashion that distinctlyfailed to appeal to me. 

"That's right, " he said. Then as a sort of afterthought he added, "Igotter trap outside. "

"Have you?" I said. "I've got a couple of bags inside, so you'd bettercome and catch hold of one of them. "

His unpleasantly red face grew even redder, and for a moment he seemedto meditate some spirited answer. Then apparently he thought better ofit, and slouching after me up the platform, possessed himself of thelarger and heavier of my two bags, which I had carefully left for him. 

The trap proved to be a ramshackle affair with an ill-kept butpowerful-looking horse between the shafts. I climbed up, and as I tookmy seat I observed to my companion that I wished first of all to callat the post-office. 

"I dunno nothin' 'bout that, " he grunted, flicking his whip. "Myorders was to drive you to Warren's Copse. "

"I don't care in the least what your orders were, " I answered. "Youcan either go to the post-office or else you can go to the Devil. There are plenty of other traps in Tilbury. "

He was evidently unused to this crisp style of dialogue, for afterglaring at me for a moment in a sort of apoplectic amazement he jerkedhis horse round and proceeded slowly down the street. 

"'Ave it yer own way, " he muttered. 

"I intend to, " I said cheerfully. 

We pulled up at the post-office, a large red-brick building in themain street, and leaving my disgruntled friend sitting in the trap, I jumped out and pushed open the swing door. Except for anintelligent-looking clerk behind the counter the place was empty. 

"Good-morning, " I said. "I wonder if you could help me out of a slightdifficulty about my letters?"

"What sort of a difficulty?" he inquired civilly. 

"Well, for the next week or two, " I said, "I shall be living in alittle hut on the marshes about two miles to the east from here, andquite close to the sea-wall. I am making a few chemical experiments inconnection with photography" (a most useful lie this), "and I've toldmy friends to write or send telegrams here--to the post-office. Iwondered, if anything should come for me, whether you had a specialmessenger or any one who could bring it over. I would be delighted topay him his proper fee and give him something extra for his trouble. My name is Nicholson--Mr. James Nicholson. "

The man hesitated for a moment. "I don't think there will be anydifficulty about that--not if you leave written instructions. I shallhave to ask the postmaster when he comes in, but I'm pretty certain itwill be all right. "

I thanked him, and after writing out exactly what I wanted done, Ireturned to my friend in the trap, who, to judge from his expression, did not appear to have benefited appreciably from my little lesson inpatience and politeness. Under the circumstances I decided to extendit. 

"I am going across the street to get some things I want, " I observed. "You can wait here. "

He made an unpleasant sound in his throat, which I think he intendedfor an ironical laugh. "Wot you want's a bus, " he remarked; "a bus an'a bell an' a ruddy conductor. "

I came quite close and looked up into his face, smiling. "What youwant, " I said quietly, "is a damned good thrashing, and if I have anymore of your insolence I'll pull you down out of the trap and give youone. "

I think something in my voice must have told him I was speaking theliteral truth, for although his mouth opened convulsively it closedagain without any audible response. 

I strolled serenely across the road to where I saw an "Off-Licence. "I had acted in an indiscreet fashion, but whatever happened I wasdetermined to put up with no further rudeness from anybody. I had hadall the discourtesy I required during my three years in Princetown. 

My purchases at the Off-Licence consisted of three bottles of whiskyand two more of some rather obscure brand of champagne. It waspossible, of course, that McMurtrie's ideas of catering included suchluxuries, but there seemed no reason for running any unnecessary risk. As a prospective host it was clearly my duty to take every reasonableprecaution. 

Armed with my spoils I returned to the trap, and stored them awaycarefully beneath the seat. Then I climbed up alongside the driver. 

"Now you can go to Warren's Copse, " I said; and without making anyreply the tomato-faced gentleman jerked round his horse's head, andback we went up the street. 

I can't say it was exactly an hilarious drive. I felt cheerful enoughmyself, but my companion maintained a depressed and lowering silence, broken only by an occasional inward grunt, or a muttered curse atthe horse. It struck me as curious and not a little sinister thatMcMurtrie should be employing such an uncouth ruffian, but I supposedthat he had some sound reason for his choice. I couldn't imagineMcMurtrie doing anything without a fairly sound reason. 

Within about ten minutes of leaving the town, we came out on to themain road that bounded the landward side of the marshes. I caughtsight of my future home looking very small and desolate against thelong stretch of sea-wall, and far in the distance I could just discernthe mast of the _Betty_ still tapering up above the bank of the creek. It was comforting to know that so far at all events Mr. Gow hadneither sunk her nor pawned her. 

Warren's Copse proved to be the small clump of trees that I hadnoticed on the previous day, and my driver pulled up there and jerkedthe butt of his whip in the direction of the hut. 

"There y'are, " he said. "We can't get no nearer than this. "

There was a good distance to walk across the marsh, and for a moment Iwondered whether to insist upon his getting out and carrying one ofmy bags, I decided, however, that I had had quite enough of the surlybrute's company, so jumping down, I took out my belongings, and toldhim that he was at liberty to depart. 

He drove off without a word, but he had not gone more than aboutthirty yards when he suddenly turned in his seat and called out aparting observation. 

"I ain't afraid o' you--you--'ulkin' bully!" he shouted; "an' don'tyou think it neither. "

Then, whipping up the horse, he broke into a smart canter, anddisappeared round a bend in the road. 

When I had done laughing, I shoved a bottle into each side pocket, andstowed away the other three in the emptier of my two bags. The latterwere no light weight to lug along, and by the time I had covered thehalf-mile of marsh that separated me from the hut I had come to theconclusion that the profession of a railway porter was one that Ishould never adopt as a private hobby. 

As soon as I unlocked the door, I saw that I had not been far wrong inmy guess about a caretaker on the previous afternoon. Some one, at allevents, had been there in the interval, for the pile of cooking andeating utensils were now arranged on a rough shelf at the back, whilethe box which I had noticed had been unpacked and its contents set outon the kitchen table. 

I glanced over them with some interest. There were packets of tea andsugar, several loaves of bread, and a number of gaily-coloured tins, containing such luxuries as corned beef, condensed milk, tongue, potted meat, and golden syrup. Except for the tea, however, thereseemed to be a regrettable dearth of liquid refreshments, and Imentally thanked Providence for my happy inspiration with regard tothe Off-Licence. 

I pottered about a bit, unpacking my own belongings, and puttingthings straight generally. As I seemed likely to be spending some timein the place, I thought I might as well make everything as comfortableand tidy as possible to start with; and, thanks to my combinedexperience of small boats and prison cells, I flatter myself I maderather a good job of it. 

By the time I had finished I was feeling distinctly hungry. I openedone of the tongues, and with the additional aid of bread and whiskymade a simple but satisfying lunch. Then I sat down on the bed andtreated myself to a pipe before going across to the shed to startwork. Smoking in business hours is one of those agreeable luxurieswhich an inventor of high explosives finds it healthier to denyhimself. 

I could see no sign of any one about when I went outside. Except fora few gulls, which were wheeling backwards and forwards over thesea-wall, I seemed to have the whole stretch of marsh and saltingsentirely to myself. Some people, I suppose, would have found theprospect a depressing one, but I was very far from sharing any suchopinion. I like marsh scenery, and for the present at all events Iwas fully able to appreciate the charms which sages of all times arereported to have discovered in solitude. 

I shall never forget the feeling of satisfaction with which Iclosed the door of the shed behind me and looked round its clean, well-lighted interior. A careful examination soon showed me thatMcMurtrie's share in the work had been done as thoroughly andconscientiously as I had imagined from my brief inspection on theprevious day. Everything I had asked for was lying there in readiness, and, much as I disliked and mistrusted the doctor, it was not withouta genuine sensation of gratitude that I hung up my coat and proceededto set to work. 

Briefly speaking, my new discovery was an improvement on the famous C. Powder, invented by Lemartre. It was derived from the aromatic seriesof nitrates (which that great scientist always insisted to be thecorrect basis for stable and powerful explosives), but it owed itsenormously increased force to a fresh constituent, the introductionof which was entirely my own idea. I had been working at it for aboutnine months before my arrest, and after several disappointing failuresI had just succeeded in achieving what I believed to be my object, when my experiments had been so unkindly interrupted. 

Still, all that remained now was comparatively clear sailing. I hadmerely to follow out my former process, and I had taken care to orderthe various ingredients in as fully prepared a state as possible forimmediate use. I had also taken care to include one or two otherarticles, which as a matter of fact had nothing on earth to do withthe business in hand. It was just as well, I felt, to obscure mattersa trifle, in case any inquiring mind might attempt to investigate mysecret. 

For hour after hour I worked on, sorting out my various chemicals, andpreparing such methods of treatment as were necessary in each case. Iwas so interested in my task that I paid no attention at all to thetime, until with something of a shock I suddenly realized that thelight was beginning to fail. Looking at my watch I found that it wasnearly half-past seven. 

There was still a certain amount to do before I could knock off, so, stopping for a moment to mix myself a well-earned whisky-and-water, Iswitched on the two electric head-lights which McMurtrie had providedas a means of illumination. With the aid of these I continued mylabours for perhaps another hour and a half, at the end of whichtime I began to feel that a little rest and refreshment would be anagreeable variation in the programme. 

After making sure that everything was safe, I turned out the lights, and locking up the door, walked back to the hut. I was just entering, when it suddenly struck me that instead of dining in solitary stateoff tongue and bread, I might just as well stroll over to the _Betty_and take my evening repast in the engaging company of Mr. Gow. 

No sooner had this excellent idea entered my head than I decided toput it into practice. The moon was out, and there appeared to beenough light to see my way by the old route along the river shore, so, walking down to the sea-wall, I climbed over, and set off in thedirection of the creek. 

It was tricky sort of work, with fine possibilities of sprainingone's ankle about it, but by dint of "going delicately, " like Agag, Imanaged to reach the end of my journey without disaster. As I roundedthe bend I saw the _Betty_ lying out in mid-stream, bathed in a mostbecoming flood of moonlight. A closer observation showed me the headand shoulders of Mr. Gow protruding from the fo'c's'le hatch. 

He responded to my hail by scrambling up on deck and lowering himselfinto the dinghy, which with a few vigorous jerks he brought to theshore. 

"I've come to have supper with you, Mr. Gow, " I observed. "Have yougot anything to eat?"

He touched his cap and nodded. "I says to meself it must be you, sir, d'rectly I heard you comin' round the crick. There ain't much comp'ny'bout here at night-time. "

"Nor in the daytime either, " I added, pushing the boat off from thebank. 

"And that's a fact, sir, " he remarked, settling down to the oars. "There was one gent round here this morning askin' his way, but exceptfor him we bin remarkable quiet. "

"What sort of a gent?" I demanded with interest. 

"Smallish, 'e was, sir, an' very civil spoken. Wanted to get toTilbury. "

"Did he ask who the boat belonged to, by any chance?"

Mr. Gow reflected for a moment. "Now you come to mention it, sir, Ib'lieve 'e did. Not as I should have told 'im anything, even if I'dknown. I don't hold with answerin' questions. "

"You're quite right, Mr. Gow, " I observed, catching hold of thestern of the _Betty_. "It's a habit that gets people into a lot oftrouble--especially in the Law Courts. "

We clambered on board, and while my companion made the dinghy fast, I went down into the cabin, and proceeded to rout out the lockers insearch of provisions. I discovered a slab of pressed beef, and somerather stale bread and cheese, which I set out on the table, wonderingto myself, as I did so, whether the inquisitive stranger of themorning was in any way connected with my affairs. It couldn't havebeen Latimer, for that gentleman was very far from being "smallish, " aremark which applied equally well to our mutual friend with the scar. I was still pondering over the question when I heard Mr. Gow drop downinto the fo'c's'le, and summond him through the connecting door tocome and join the feast. 

He accepted my invitation with some embarrassment, as became a "paidhand, " but a bottle of Bass soon put him at his ease. We began bydiscussing various nautical topics, such as the relative merits of acentre-board or a keel for small boats, and whether whisky or beer wasreally the better drink when one was tired and wet through. It was notuntil we had finished our meal and were sitting outside enjoying ourpipes that I broached the question that was at the back of my mind. 

"Look here, Gow, " I said abruptly, "were you speaking seriously whenyou suggested that launch ran you down on purpose?"

His face darkened, and then a curious look of slow cunning stole intoit. 

"Mebbe they did, and mebbe they didn't, " he answered. "Anyway, Ireckon they wouldn't have bin altogether sorry to see me at the bottomo' the river. "

"But why?" I persisted. "What on earth have you been doing to them?"

Mr. Gow was silent for a moment. "'Tis like this, sir, " he said atlast. "Bein' about the river all times o' the day an' night, I seethings as other people misses--things as per'aps it ain't too healthyto see. "

"Well, what have you seen our pals doing?" I inquired. 

"I don't say I seen 'em doin' nothin'--nothin' against the law, so tospeak. " He looked round cautiously. "All the same, sir, " he added, lowering his voice, "it's my belief as they ain't livin' up there onSheppey for no good purpose. Artists they calls 'emselves, but to myway o' thinking they're a sight more interested in forts an' ships an'suchlike than they are in pickchers and paintin'. "

I looked at him steadily for a moment. There was no doubt that the manwas in earnest. 

"You think they're spies?" I said quietly. 

He nodded his head. "That's it, sir. Spies--that's what they are; acouple o' dirty Dutch spies--damn 'em. "

"Why don't you tell the police or the naval people?" I asked. 

He laughed grimly. "They'd pay a lot of heed to the likes o' me, wouldn't they? You can lay them two fellers have got it all squared upfine and proper. Come to look into it, an' you'd find they was artistsright enough; no, there wouldn't be no doubt about that. As like asnot I'd get two years 'ard for perjurin' and blackmail. "

To a certain extent I was in a position to sympathize with this pointof view. 

"Well, we must keep an eye on them ourselves, " I said, "that's all. We can't have German spies running up and down the Thames as if theyowned the blessed place. " I got up and knocked out my pipe. "The firstthing to do, " I added, "is to summons them for sinking your boat. Ifthey _are_ spies, they'll pay up without a murmur, especially if theyreally tried to do it on purpose. "

Mr. Gow nodded his head again, with a kind of vicious obstinacy. "Theydone it a-purpose all right, " he repeated. "They seen me watching of'em, and they knows that dead men tell no tales. "

There scarcely seemed to me to be enough evidence for the certaintywith which he cherished this opinion; but the mere possibility of itsbeing a fact was sufficiently disturbing. Goodness knows, I didn'twant to mix myself up in any further troubles, and yet, if these menwere really German spies, and, in addition to that, sufficientlydesperate to attempt a cold-blooded murder in order to cover up theirtraces, I had apparently let myself in for it with a vengeance. 

Of course, if I liked, I could abandon Mr. Gow to pursue his claimwithout any assistance; but that was a solution which somehow or otherfailed to appeal to me. In a sense he had become my retainer; andwe Lyndons are not given to deserting our retainers under anycircumstances. At least, I shouldn't exactly have liked to face myfather in another world with this particular weakness against myrecord. 

Altogether it was in a far from serene state of mind that I climbeddown into the dinghy, and allowed Mr. Gow to row me back to the bank. 

"Will you be over tomorrow, sir?" he asked, as he stood up in the boatready to push off. 

"I don't think so, I shall be rather busy the next two or threedays. " Then I paused a moment. "Keep your eyes open generally, Mr. Gow, " I added; "and if any more gentlemen who have lost their way toTilbury come and ask you the name of the _Betty's_ owner, tell themshe belongs to the Bishop of London. "

He touched his cap quite gravely. "Yessir, " he said. "Good-night, sir. "

"Good-night, Mr. Gow, " I replied, and scrambling up the bank, I setoff on my return journey. 

CHAPTER XVIII

A NEW CLUE TO AN OLD CRIME

It was exactly half-past ten on Tuesday morning when I sat down on therough wooden bench in my workshop with a little gasp of relief andexhaustion. Before me, on the lead slab, was a small pile of darkbrown powder, which an innocent stranger would in all probability havetaken for finely ground coffee. It was not coffee, however; it was thefruit of four days and nights of about the most unremitting toil thatany human being has ever accomplished. Unless I was wrong--utterly andhopelessly wrong--I had enough of the new explosive in front of me toblow this particular bit of marsh and salting into the middle of nextweek. 

I leaned forward, and picking up a fistful, allowed it to trickleslowly through my fingers. The stuff was quite safe to handle; thatwas one of its beauties. I could have put a lighted match to it orthrown it on the fire without the faintest risk; the only possiblemethod of releasing its appalling power being the explosion of a fewgrains of gunpowder or dynamite in its immediate vicinity. I had nointention of allowing that interesting event to occur until I had madecertain necessary preparations. 

I was still contemplating my handiwork with a sort of fatigued pride, when a sudden sound outside attracted my attention. Getting up andlooking through the shed window, I discovered a telegraph-boy standingby the hut, apparently engaged in hunting for the bell. 

"All right, sonny, " I called out. "Bring it along here. "

I walked to the door, and the next minute I was being handed anenvelope addressed to me at the Tilbury Post-Office in Joyce'shandwriting. 

"It came the last post yesterday, " explained the lad. "We couldn't letyou have it until this morning because there wasn't any one to send. "

"Well, sit down a moment, Charles, " I said; "and I'll just see ifthere's any answer. "

He seated himself on the bench, staring round at everything withobvious interest. With a pleasant feeling of anticipation I slit openthe envelope and pulled out its contents. 

"CHELSEA, "_Monday. _

"DEAREST JAMES, "It looks rather nice written--doesn't it! I am coming down tomorrowby the train which gets into Tilbury at 2. 15. I shall walk across tothe _Betty_ and sit there peacefully till you turn up. Whatever stagethe work is at, don't be later than 7. 30. I shall have supper ready bythen--and it will be a supper worth eating. My poor darling, you mustbe simply starved. I've lots to tell you, James, but it will keep tilltomorrow. 

"With all my love, "JOYCE. "

I read this through (it was so like Joyce I could almost fancy I heardher speaking), and then I turned to the telegraph-boy, who was stilloccupied in taking stock of his surroundings. 

"There's no answer, thank you, Charles, " I said. "How much do I oweyou?"

He pulled himself together abruptly. "It will be two shillings, thepost-office fee, sir. "

"Well, there it is, " I said; "and there's another shilling foryourself. "

He jumped up and pocketed the coins with an expression of gratitude. Then he paused irresolutely. "Beg pardon, sir, " he observed, "butain't you a gentleman who makes things?"

I laughed. "We most of us do that, Charles, " I said, "if they're onlymistakes. "

He looked round the shed with an expression of slight awe. "Can youmake fireworks?" he asked. 

I glanced instinctively at the little heap of powder. "Of a kind, " Iadmitted modestly. "Why?"

He gave an envious sigh. "I only wondered if it was hard, sir. I'drather be able to make fireworks than do anything. "

"It's not very hard, " I said consolingly. "You go on bringing myletters and telegrams for me like a good boy directly they arrive, andbefore I leave here I'll show you how to do it. Only you mustn't talkabout it to anybody, or I shall have everyone asking me the samething. "

His face brightened, and stammering out his thanks and hisdetermination to keep the bargain a profound secret, he reluctantlytook his departure. I felt that in future, whatever happened, Iwas pretty certain to get anything which turned up for me at thepost-office without undue delay. 

For the next half-hour or so I amused myself by constructing a kind ofamateur magazine outside the hut in which to store my precious powder. It was safe enough in a way above ground, as I have already mentioned, but with inquisitive strangers like Mr. Latimer prowling around, Icertainly didn't mean to leave a grain of it about while I was absentfrom the shed. I packed it all away in a waterproof iron box, which Ihad specially ordered for the purpose, and buried it in the hole thatI had dug outside. Then I covered the latter over with a couple ofpieces of turf, and carefully removed all traces of my handiwork. 

It was not until I had finished this little job that I suddenlyrealized how tired I was. For the last four days I had scarcelystirred outside the shed, and I don't suppose I had averaged more thanthree hours' sleep a night the whole time. The excitement and interestof my work had kept me going, and now that it was over I found that Iwas almost dropping with fatigue. 

I locked up the place, and walking across to the hut, opened myselfone of the bottles of champagne which I had so thoughtfully purchasedat the Off-Licence. It was not exactly a vintage wine, but I was in nomood to be over-critical, and I drank off a couple of glasses with theutmost appreciation. Then I lay down on the bed, and in less than fiveminutes I was sleeping like a log. 

I woke up at exactly half-past four. However tired I am, a few hours'sleep always puts me right again, and by the time I had had a wash andchanged into a clean shirt, I felt as fresh as a daisy. 

I decided to walk straight over to the _Betty_. I knew that by thistime Joyce would be on board, and as there was nothing else to be donein the shed, I thought I might just as well join her now as later. Ihad been too busy to miss any one very much the last four days, butnow that the strain was over I felt curiously hungry to see her again. Besides, I was longing to hear what news she had brought about Tommyand George. 

With a view to contributing some modest item towards the supperprogramme, I shoved the other bottle of champagne into my pocket, andthen lighting a cigar, locked up the place, and set off for the creekby my usual route. The tide was very high, and on several occasions Ihad to scramble up and make my way along the sea-wall in full viewof the marsh and the roadway. Fortunately, however, there seemed, as usual, to be no one about, and I reached the mouth of the creekwithout much fear of having been watched or followed. 

The _Betty_ was there all right, but I could see no sign of any one onboard. I walked up the creek until I was exactly opposite where shewas lying, and then putting my hands to my lips I gave her a gentlehail. 

In an instant Joyce's head appeared out of the cabin, and the nextmoment she was on deck waving me a joyous welcome with the frying-pan. 

"Oh, it's you!" she cried. "How lovely! Half a second, and I'll comeover and fetch you. "

"Where's Mr. Gow?" I called out. 

"He's gone home. I sent him off for a holiday. There's no one on boardbut me. "

She scrambled aft, and unshipping the dinghy, came sculling towards meacross the intervening water. She was wearing a white jersey, and withher arms bare and her hair shining in the sunlight, she made a picturethat only a blind man would have failed to find inspiring. 

She brought up right against the bank where I was standing, andleaning over, caught hold of the grass. 

"Jump, " she said. "I'll hang on. "

I jumped, and the next moment I was beside her in the boat, and wewere hugging each other as cheerfully and naturally as two children. 

"You dear, to come so soon!" she said. "I wasn't expecting you forages. "

I kissed her again, and then, picking up the oars, pushed off from thebank. "Joyce, " I said, "I've done it! I've made enough of the blessedstuff to blow up half Tilbury. "

She clapped her hands joyfully. "How splendid! I knew you would. Haveyou tried it?"

I shook my head. "Not yet, " I said. "We'll do it early tomorrowmorning, before any one's about. " Then, digging in my scull to avoid adesolate-looking beacon, I added anxiously: "What about Tommy? Is hecoming?"

Joyce nodded. "He'll be down tomorrow. I've got a letter for you fromhim. He saw Mr. Latimer last night. "

"Did he!" said I. "Things are moving with a vengeance. What about thegentle George?"

Joyce laughed softly. "Oh, " she said; "I've such lots to tell you, Ihardly know where to start. "

I ran the boat alongside the _Betty_, and we both climbed on board. 

"Suppose we start by having some tea, " I suggested. "I'm dying for acup. "

"You poor dear, " said Joyce. "Of course you shall have one. You canread what Tommy says while I'm getting it ready. "

She fetched the letter out of the cabin, and sitting in the well Iproceeded to decipher the three foolscap pages of hieroglyphics whichTommy is pleased to describe as his handwriting. As far as I couldmake out they ran as follows:

"MY DEAR NEIL, "I suppose I oughtn't to begin like that, in case somebody else gothold of the letter. It doesn't matter really, however, because Joyceis bringing it down, and you can tear the damn thing up as soon asyou've read it. 

"Well, I've seen Latimer. I wrote to him directly I got back, remindedhim who I was, and told him I wanted to have a chat with him aboutsome very special private business. He asked me to come round to hisrooms in Jermyn Street last night at ten o'clock, and I was there tillpretty near midnight. 

"I thought I was bound to find out something, but good Lord, Neil, itcame off in a way I'd never dared hope for. Practically speaking, I'vegot to the bottom of the whole business--at least so far as Latimer'sconcerned. You see he either had to explain or else tell me to go tothe devil, and as he thought I was a perfectly safe sort of chap to behonest with, he decided to make a clean breast of it. 

"To start with, it's very much what we suspected. Latimer _is_ aSecret Service man, and that's how he comes to be mixed up in the job. It seems that some little while ago the Admiralty or one of the otherGovernment departments got it into their heads that there were anumber of Germans over in England spying out the land in view of apossible row over this Servian business. Latimer was told off amongstothers to look into the matter. He had been sniffing around for someweeks without much luck, when more or less by chance he dropped acrossthe track of those two very identical beauties who ran down Gow's boatin the Thames last Friday. 

"Somehow or other they must have got wind of the fact that he wasafter them, and they evidently made up their minds to get rid of him. They seem to have set about it rather neatly. The man with the scar, who is either one of them or else in with them, introduced himself toLatimer as a member of the French Secret Service. He pretended thathe had some special information about the case in hand, and althoughLatimer was a bit suspicious, he agreed to dine at Parelli's and hearwhat the fellow had to say. 

"Well, you know the rest of that little incident. If it hadn't beenfor you there's not the faintest doubt that Latimer would havecopped it all right, and I can tell you he's by way of being ratherparticularly grateful. I was specially instructed to send you amessage to that effect next time I was writing. 

"What the connection is between your crowd and these Germans I can'texactly make out. Of course if you're right in your idea about thechap with the scar spying on you in London it's perfectly obviousthey're working together in some way. At the same time I'm quite surethat Latimer knows nothing about it. The reason he came down to lookat the hut on Friday was because a report about it had been sent tohim by one of his men--he has two fellows working under him--and hethought it might have something to do with the Germans. He describedthe way you had caught him quite frankly, and told me how he'd had toinvent a lie about the Surveyor in order to get out of it. 

"Exactly what he means to do next I don't know. He has got some planon, and I've a notion he wants me to help him--at least he soundedme pretty plainly last night as to whether I'd be game to lend him ahand. I need hardly tell you I jumped at the idea. It seems to me ouronly possible chance of finding out anything. I am to see him or hearfrom him tomorrow, and directly I know what's in the wind I'll eitherwrite to you or come and look you up. 

"Joyce will tell you all about George and McMurtrie. If they aren'tboth up to some kind of particularly dirty mischief I'll eat my wholewardrobe. We must talk it over thoroughly when we meet. 

"I'm longing to see you again, and hear all about the work and what'sbeen going on down there. 

"So long, old son, "Yours as ever, "TOMMY. "

I was just making out the last words, when Joyce emerged from thecabin, carrying some tea on a tray. 

"Here you are, Neil, " she said. "I have cut you only two slices ofbread and butter, because I don't want you to spoil your supper. There's cold pheasant and peas and new potatoes. "

I pulled out the bottle of champagne from my pocket. "If they're asnew as this wine, " I observed, "they ought to be delicious. "

Joyce accepted my contribution, and after reading the label, placed itcarefully on the floor of the well. "Sarcon et fils, " she repeated. "Ialways thought they made vinegar. "

"Perhaps they do, " I replied. "We shall know when we drink it. "

Joyce laughed, and sitting down beside me, poured me out a cup of tea. "You've read Tommy's letter, " she said. "What do you think about it?"

I took a long drink. "From the little I've seen of Mr. Bruce Latimer, "I said, "I should put him down as being one of the most accomplishedliars in England. " I paused. "At the same time, " I added, "I thinkhe's a fine fellow. I like his face. "

Joyce nodded her head. "But you don't believe his story?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "It may be true, " I said. "Tommy seemsto think so anyhow. If it is, things are a bit simpler than Iimagined--that's all. "

"And if it isn't?" said Joyce. 

"Ah!" said I, "if it isn't--"

I left the sentence unfinished, and helped myself to a second bit ofbread and butter. 

There was a short silence. 

"Tell me about George, Joyce, " I went on. "What are these particulardark doings that Tommy's hinting about?"

Joyce leaned forward with her chin on her hands, her blue eyes fixedon mine. 

"Neil, " she said slowly, "I've found out something at last--somethingI thought I was never going to. I know who the man was in Marks'srooms on the day that he was murdered. "

I was so surprised that I gulped down a mouthful of nearly boilingtea. 

"I wish you'd break these things more gently, Joyce, " I said. "Who wasit?"

"It was Dr. McMurtrie. "

I put down the teacup and stared at her in the blankest amazement. 

"Dr. McMurtrie!" I repeated incredulously. 

She nodded. "Listen, and I'll tell you exactly how it all happened. Idined with George, as you know, at the Savoy on Friday, and we wentinto the whole business of my going away with him. He has got thattwelve thousand pounds, Neil; there's no doubt about it. He showed methe entry in his pass-book and the acknowledgment from the bank, andhe even offered to write me a cheque for a couple of hundred rightaway, to buy clothes with for the trip. "

"From what I remember of George, " I said, "he must be desperately inlove with you. "

Joyce gave a little shiver of disgust. "Of course I let him think Iwas giving way. I wanted to find out where the money had come from, but try as I would, I couldn't get him to tell me. That makes me feelso certain there's something wrong about it. In the end I arranged todine with him again tomorrow night, when I said I'd give him my finalanswer. On Saturday morning, however, I changed my mind, and wrote hima note to say I'd come Thursday instead. I didn't mean to tie myselfto be back tomorrow, in case you wanted me here. "

She paused. 

"I had to go up Victoria Street, so I thought I'd leave the letter athis office. I'd just got there, and I was standing outside the dooropening my bag, when a man came down the steps. I looked up as hepassed, and--oh Neil!--it was all I could do to stop myself fromscreaming. I knew him at once; I knew his cold wicked face just aswell as if it had been only three days instead of three years. It wasthe man I'd seen in Marks's rooms on the afternoon of the murder. "

She stopped again, and took a deep breath. 

"I was horribly excited, and yet at the same time I felt quite cool. Ilet him get about ten yards away down the street, and then I startedoff after him. He walked as far as the Stores. Then he called an emptytaxi that was coming past, and I heard him tell the driver to go tothe Hotel Russell. I thought about how you'd followed the man with thescar, and I made up my mind I'd do the same thing. I had to wait forseveral seconds before another taxi came by, but directly it didI jumped in and told the man to drive me to the corner of RussellSquare. 

"I got there just as the other taxi was drawing up in front of thehotel. A porter came forward and opened the door, and I saw the manget out and go up the steps. I waited for one moment, and then Iwalked along to the entrance myself. The porter was still standingthere, so I went straight up to him and asked him quite simply whatthe name of the gentleman was who had just gone inside. He sort ofhesitated, and then he said to me: 'That gentleman, Miss?--that's Dr. McMurtrie. '"

Once more she paused, and, pushing away the tray, I lit myself acigar. "It's lucky you've had some practice in surprises, " I observed. 

Joyce nodded. "Of course I was absolutely flabbergasted, but I don'tthink I showed anything. I sort of rummaged in my bag for a minutetill I'd recovered; then I gave the man half a crown and asked him ifhe knew how long Dr. McMurtrie was staying. I think he was in doubt asto whether I was a female detective or a lady reporter; anyhow he tookthe money and said he was very sorry he didn't know, but that if Iwanted an interview at any time he had no doubt it might be arranged. I thanked him, and said it didn't matter for the moment, and there Ithought it best to leave things. You see I knew that whether McMurtriestayed on at the Russell or not you were bound to see him again, andthere was nothing to be gained by asking questions which the porterwould probably repeat to him. It would only have helped to put him onhis guard--wouldn't it?"

"My dear Joyce, " I said, "I think you did splendidly. Sherlock Holmescouldn't have done better. " I got up and walked to the end of thecockpit. "But good Lord!" I added, "this does complicate matters. You're absolutely certain it was McMurtrie you saw at Marks's flat?"

"Absolutely, " repeated Joyce with emphasis. "I should remember hisface if I lived to be a hundred. "

I clenched my fists in a sudden spasm of anger. "There's some damnedvillainy underneath all this, Joyce, " I said. "If McMurtrie was therethat afternoon the odds are that he knows who committed the murder. "

"He did it himself, " said Joyce calmly. "I'm as sure of it as I amthat I'm sitting here. "

"But why?" I demanded--"why? Who on earth _was_ Marks? Nobody inChelsea seemed to know anything about him, and nothing came out at thetrial. Why should any one have wanted to kill him except me?"

Joyce shook her head. "I don't know, " she said stubbornly; "but I'mquite certain it was McMurtrie. I feel it inside me. "

"And in any case, " I continued, "what the devil is he doing messingabout with George? I'm the only connecting-link between them, and hecan't possibly mean to betray me--at all events, until he's got thesecret of the powder. He knows George would give me up tomorrow. "

Joyce made a gesture of perplexity. "I know, " she said. "It's anabsolute mystery to me too. I've been puzzling and puzzling over ittill my head aches, and I can't see any sort of explanation at all. "

"The only thing that's quite plain, " I said, "is the fact thatMcMurtrie and Savaroff have been lying to me from the start. They areno more powder-merchants than you are. They want to get hold of myinvention for some reason--to make money out of it, I suppose--andthen they're prepared to clear out and leave me to George and thepolice. At least, that's what it's beginning to look like. "

"Well, anyhow, " said Joyce, "you're not tied to them any longer byyour promise. "

"No, " I said; "it takes two to keep a bargain. Besides, " I addedrather bitterly, "I can afford the privilege of breaking my word. It'sonly what you'd expect from a convict. "

Joyce got up, and coming to where I was sitting, slipped her armthrough mine and softly stroked my hand. "Don't, Neil, " she said. "I hate you to say anything that isn't fine and generous. It's likehearing music out of tune. "

I drew her to me, and half closing her eyes, she laid her cheekagainst mine. We remained silent for a moment or two, and then, givingher a little hug, I sat up and took hold of her hands. 

"Look here, Joyce, " I said, "we won't just bother about anything forthe rest of the day. We'll be cheerful and jolly and foolish, like wewere on Friday. God knows how all this infernal tangle is going to panout, but we may as well snatch one evening's happiness out of it whilewe've got the chance. "

Joyce kissed me, and then jumping lightly from the seat, pulled meup with her. "We will, " she said. "After all, we've got a boat and alovely evening and a cold pheasant and a bottle of champagne--whatmore can any one want?"

"Well, " I said, "it may sound greedy, but as a matter of fact I wantsome of those peas and new potatoes you were talking about just now. "

She let go my hands, and opening one of the lockers, took out a largebasin with a couple of bags in it. "There you are, " she laughed. "Youcan skin them and shell them while I wash up the tea-things and laythe table. It's a man's duty to do the dangerous work. "

Joyce had always had the gift of scattering a kind of infectiousgaiety around her, and that night she seemed to be in her mostbewitching and delightful mood. I think she made up her mind to tryand wipe out from my memory for the time being all thoughts ofthe somewhat harassed state of existence in which it had pleasedProvidence to land me. If so, she succeeded admirably. 

We cooked the supper between us. I boiled the peas and potatoes, andthen, when we had done the first course, Joyce got up and made abrilliantly successful French omelette out of some fresh eggs whichshe had brought down for that inspired purpose. 

It was very charming in the little low-ceilinged cabin, with the lampswinging overhead and no sound outside but the soft lapping of thetide upon the sides of the boat. We lay and talked for some time afterwe had finished, while I smoked a cigar, and Joyce, stretched outluxuriously on the other bunk, indulged in a couple of cigarettes. 

"We won't wash up, " I said. "I'll just shove everything through intothe fo'c's'le, and we'll leave them there for Mr. Gow. A certainamount of exercise will be good for him after his holiday. "

"Do, " said Joyce sleepily. "And then come and sit over here, Neil. Iwant to stroke your hair. "

I cleared away the things, and shutting up the table, which worked ona hinge, spread out my own cushions on the floor alongside ofJoyce's bunk. The latter was just low enough to let me rest my headcomfortably on her shoulder. 

How long we lay like that I really don't know. My whole body and mindwere steeped in a strange, delightful sense of peace and contentment, and I began to realize, I think for the first time, how utterlynecessary and dear to me Joyce had become. I slid my arm underneathher--she lay close up against me, her hair, which she had loosenedfrom its fastenings, half covering us both in its soft beauty. 

The lamp flickered and died down, but we didn't trouble to relight it. Outside the night grew darker and darker, and through the open hatchwe could just see a solitary star shining down on us from between twobanks of cloud. Cool and sweet, a faint breeze drifted in from thesilent marshes. 

Then, quite suddenly, it seemed to me, a strange madness and musicfilled the night for both of us. I only knew that Joyce was in my armsand that we were kissing each other with fierce, unheeding passion. There were tears on her cheeks--little sweet, salt tears of love andhappiness that felt all wet against my lips. 

It was only a moment--just one brief moment of unutterable beauty--andthen I remembered. With a groan I half raised myself in the darkness. 

"I must go, Joyce, " I whispered. "I can't stay here. I daren't. "

She slipped her soft bare arms round my neck, and drew my face down tohers. 

"Don't go, " she whispered back. "Not if you don't want to. What doesit matter? I am all yours, Neil, anyway. "

For a moment I felt her warm fragrant breath upon my face, and herheart beating quickly against mine. Then, with an effort--a bigeffort--I tore myself away. 

"Joyce dear, " I said, "it would only make things worse. Oh, my dearsweet Joyce, I want you like the night wants the dawn, but we can'tcheat life. Suppose we fail--suppose there's only death or prison infront of me. It will be hard enough now, but if--"

I broke off, and with a little sob Joyce sat up and felt for my hand. 

"You're right, darling, " she said; "but oh, my dear, my dear!" Shelifted up my hand and passed it softly backwards and forwards acrossher eyes. Then, with a little laugh that had tears close behind it, she added: "Do you know, my Neil, I'm conceited enough to think you'rerather wonderful. "

I bent down and kissed her with infinite tenderness. 

"I am, Joyce, " I said. "Exactly how wonderful you'll never know. "

Then I lifted her up in my arms, and we went out of the cabin into thecool darkness of the night. 

"I'll row myself ashore, " I said, "and leave the dinghy on the beach. I shall be back about four o'clock, if that's not too early for you. We ought to get our explosion over before there's any one about. "

Joyce nodded. "I don't mind how early you come. The sooner thebetter. "

"Try and get some sleep, " I added; "you'll be tired out tomorrow ifyou don't. "

"I'll try, " said Joyce simply; "but I don't think I shall. I'm noteven sure I want to. "

I kissed her once more, and slipping down into the dinghy, pulled offfor the shore. Everything around was dark and silent--the faint splashof my oars alone breaking the utter stillness. Landing at my usualspot, more by luck than judgment, I tugged the boat up out of reach ofthe tide, and then, turning round, waved good-night to the _Betty_. 

It was too dark to see anything, but I think Joyce sent me back mymessage. 

CHAPTER XIX

LAUNCHING A NEW INVENTION

The eastern sky was just flushing into light when I got back tothe creek at four o'clock. It was a beautiful morning--cool andstill--with the sweet freshness of early dawn in the air, and thepromise of a long unclouded day of spring sunshine. 

I tugged the dinghy down to the water, and pushed off for the _Betty_, which looked strangely small and unreal lying there in the dim, mysterious twilight. The sound I made as I drew near must have reachedJoyce's ears. She was up on deck in a moment, fully dressed, and withher hair twisted into a long bronze plait that hung down some waybelow her waist. She looked as fresh and fair as the dawn itself. 

"Beautifully punctual, " she called out over the side. "I knew youwould be, so I started getting breakfast. "

I caught hold of the gunwale and scrambled on board. 

"It's like living at the Savoy, " I said. "Breakfast was a luxury thathad never entered my head. "

"Well, it's going to now, " she returned, "unless you're in too great ahurry to start. It's all ready in the cabin. "

"We can spare ten minutes certainly, " I said. "Experiments shouldalways be made on a full body. "

I tied up the dinghy and followed her inside, where the table wasdecorated with bread and butter and the remnants of the cold pheasant, while a kettle hissed away cheerfully on the Primus. 

"I don't believe you've been to bed at all, Joyce, " I said. "And yetyou look as if you'd just slipped out of Paradise by accident. "

She laughed, and putting her hand in my side-pocket, took out myhandkerchief to lift off the kettle with. 

"I didn't want to sleep, " she said. "I was too happy, and toomiserable. It's the widest-awake mixture I ever tried. " Then, pickingup the teapot, she added curiously: "Where's the powder? I expected tosee you arrive with a large keg over your shoulder. "

I sat down at the table and produced a couple of glass flasks, tightlycorked. 

"Here you are, " I said. "This is ordinary gunpowder, and this otherone's my stuff. It looks harmless enough, doesn't it?"

Joyce took both flasks and examined them with interest. "You've notbrought very much of it, " she said. "I was hoping we were going tohave a really big blow-up. "

"It will be big enough, " I returned consolingly, "unless I've made amistake. "

"Where are you going to do it?" she asked. 

"Somewhere at the back of Canvey Island, " I said. "There's no one towake up there except the sea-gulls, and we can be out of sight roundthe corner before it explodes. I've got about twenty feet of fuse, which will give us at least a quarter of an hour to get away in. "

"What fun!" exclaimed Joyce. "I feel just like an anarchist orsomething; and it's lovely to know that one's launching a newinvention. We ought to have kept that bottle of champagne to christenit with. "

"Yes, " I said regretfully; "it was the real christening brand too. "

There was a short silence. "I've thought of a name for it, " criedJoyce suddenly. "The powder, I mean. We'll call it Lyndonite. Itsounds like something that goes off with a bang, doesn't it?"

I laughed. "It would probably suggest that to the prison authorities, "I said. "Anyhow, Lyndonite it shall be. "

We finished breakfast, and going up on deck I proceeded to haul in theanchor, while Joyce stowed away the crockery and provisions below. Foronce in a way the engine started without much difficulty, and as thetide was running out fast it didn't take us very long to reach themouth of the creek. 

Once outside, I set a course down stream as close to the northernshore as I dared go. Except for a rusty-looking steam tramp we had thewhole river to ourselves, not even a solitary barge breaking thelong stretch of grey water. One by one the old landmarks--MuckingLighthouse, the Thames Cattle Wharf, and Hole Haven--were left behind, and at last the entrance to the creek that runs round behind CanveyIsland came into sight. 

One would never accuse it of being a cheerful, bustling sort of placeat the best of times, but at five o'clock in the morning it seemed thevery picture of uninhabited desolation. A better locality in whichto enjoy a little quiet practice with new explosives it would bedifficult to imagine. 

I navigated the _Betty_ in rather gingerly, for it was over threeyears since I had visited the spot. Joyce kept on sounding diligentlywith the lead either side of the boat, and at last we brought up inabout one and a half fathom, just comfortably out of sight of the mainstream. 

"This will do nicely, " I said. "We'll turn her round first, and thenI'll row into the bank and fix things up under that tree over there. We can be back in the river before anything happens. "

"Can't we stop and watch?" asked Joyce. "I should love to see it gooff. "

I shook my head. "Unless I've made a mistake, " I said, "it will bemuch healthier round the corner. We'll come back and see what'shappened afterwards. "

By the aid of some delicate manoeuvring I brought the _Betty_ round, and then getting into the dinghy pulled myself ashore. 

It was quite unnecessary for my experiment to make any complicatedpreparations. All I had to do was to dig a hole in the bank with atrowel that I had brought for the purpose, empty my stuff into that, and tip in the gunpowder on top. When I had finished I covered thewhole thing over with earth, leaving a clear passage for the fuse, andthen lighting the end of the latter, jumped back into the boat andpulled off rapidly for the _Betty_. 

We didn't waste any time dawdling about. Joyce seized the painter asI climbed on board, and hurrying to the tiller I started off down thecreek as fast as we could go, taking very particular pains not to runaground. 

We had reached the mouth, and I was swinging her round into the mainriver, when a sudden rumbling roar disturbed the peacefulness ofthe dawn. Joyce, who was staring out over the stern, gave a littlestartled cry, and glancing hastily back I was just in time to see adisintegrated-looking tree soaring gaily up into the air in the midstof a huge column of dust and smoke. The next moment a rain of fallingfragments of earth and wood came splashing down into the water--a fewstray pieces actually reaching the _Betty_, which rocked vigorously asa minature tidal wave swept after us up the creek. 

I put down my helm and brought her round so as to face the strickenfield. 

"We seem to have done it, Joyce, " I observed with some contentment. 

She gave a little gasping sort of laugh. "It was splendid!" she said. "But, oh, Neil, what appalling stuff it must be! It's blown up halfCanvey Island!"

"Never mind, " I said cheerfully. "There are plenty of other islandsleft. Let's get into the dinghy and see what the damage really amountsto. I fancy it's fairly useful. "

We anchored the _Betty_, and then pulled up the creek towards thescene of the explosion, where a gaping aperture in the bank wasplainly visible. As we drew near I saw that it extended, roughlyspeaking, in a half-circle of perhaps twenty yards diameter. The wholeof this, which had previously been a solid bank of grass and earth, was now nothing but a muddy pool. Of the unfortunate tree which hadmarked the site there was not a vestige remaining. 

I regarded it all from the boat with the complacent pride of asuccessful inventor. "It's even better than I expected, Joyce, " Isaid. "If one can do this with three-quarters of a pound, just fancythe effect of a couple of hundredweight. It would shift half London. "

Joyce nodded. "They'll be more anxious than ever to get hold of it, when they know, " she said. "What are you going to do? Write and tellMcMurtrie that you've succeeded?"

"I haven't quite decided, " I answered. "I shall wait till tomorrow orthe next day, anyhow. I want to hear what Sonia has got to say first. "Then, backing away the boat, I added: "We'd better get out of thisas soon as we can. It's just possible some one may have heard theexplosion and come pushing along to find out what's the matter. Peopleare so horribly inquisitive. "

Joyce laughed. "It would be rather awkward, wouldn't it? We couldn'tvery well say it was an earthquake. It looks too neat and tidy. "

Fortunately for us, if there was any one in the neighbourhood whohad heard the noise, they were either too lazy or too incurious toinvestigate the cause. We got back on board the _Betty_ and took herout into the main stream without seeing a sign of any one exceptourselves. The hull of the steam tramp was just visible in the fardistance, but except for that the river was still pleasantly deserted. 

"What shall we do now, Joyce?" I asked. "It seems to me that this isan occasion which distinctly requires celebrating. "

Joyce thought for a moment. "Let's go for a long sail, " she suggested, "and then put in at Southend and have asparagus for lunch. "

I looked at her with affectionate approval. "You always have beautifulideas, " I said. Then a sudden inspiration seized me. "I've got it!" Icried. "What do you say to running down to Sheppey and paying a callon our German pals?"

Joyce's blue eyes sparkled. "It would be lovely, " she said, with adeep breath; "but dare we risk it?"

"There's no risk, " I rejoined. "When I said 'pay a call, ' I didn'tmean it quite literally. My idea was to cruise along the coast andjust find out exactly where their precious bungalow is, and what theydo with that launch of theirs when they're not swamping inquisitiveboatmen. It's the sort of information that might turn out useful. "

Joyce nodded. "We'll go, " she said briefly. "What about the tide?"

"Oh, the tide doesn't matter, " I replied. "It will be dead out by thetime we get to Southend; but we only draw about three foot six, andwe can cut across through the Jenkin Swatch. There's water enough offSheppey to float a battleship. "

It was the work of a few minutes to pull in the anchor and haul upthe sails, which filled immediately to a slight breeze that hadjust sprung up from the west. Leaving a still peaceful, if somewhatmutilated, Canvey Island behind us, we started off down the river, gliding along with an agreeable smoothness that fitted in very nicelywith my state of mind. 

Indeed I don't think I had ever felt anything so nearly approachingcomplete serenity since my escape from Dartmoor. It is true thatthe tangle in which I was involved, appeared more threatening andcomplicated than ever, but one gets so used to sitting on a powdermine that the situation was gradually ceasing to distress me. 

At all events I had made my explosive, and that was one great steptowards a solution of some sort. If McMurtrie was prepared to play thegame with me I should in a few days be in what the newspapers call "aposition of comparative affluence, " while if his intentions were lessstraightforward I should at least have some definite idea as to whereI was. Sonia's promised disclosures were a guarantee of that. 

But apart from these considerations the mere fact of having Joycesitting beside me in the boat while we bowled along cheerfully throughthe water was quite enough in itself to account for my new-foundhappiness. One realizes some things in life with curious abruptness, and I knew now how deeply and passionately I loved her. I suppose Ihad always done so really, but she had been little more than a childin the old Chelsea days, and the sort of brotherly tenderness andpride I had had for her must have blinded me to the truth. 

Anyhow it was out now; out beyond any question of doubt or argument. She was as necessary and dear to me as the stars are to the night, andit seemed ridiculously impossible to contemplate any sort of existencewithout her. Not that I wasted much energy attempting the feat; thepresent was sufficiently charming to occupy my entire time. 

We passed Leigh and Southend, the former with its fleet offishing-smacks and the latter with its long unlovely pier, and thennosed our way delicately into the Jenkin Swatch, that convenient ditchwhich runs right across the mouth of the Thames. The sun was now highin the sky, and one could see signs of activity on the various bargesthat were hanging about the neighbourhood waiting for the tide. 

I pointed away past the Nore Lightship towards a bit of rising groundon the low-lying Sheppey coast. 

"That's about where our pals are hanging out, " I said. "There'sa little deep-water creek there, which Tommy and I used to usesometimes, and according to Mr. Gow their bungalow is close by. "

Joyce peered out under her hand across the intervening water. "It's anice situation, " she observed, "for artists. "

I laughed. "Yes, " I said. "They are so close to Sheerness andShoeburyness, and other places of beauty. I expect they've done quitea lot of quiet sketching. "

We reached the end of the Swatch, and leaving Queenborough, with itsgrim collection of battleships and coal hulks, to starboard, we stoodout to sea along the coastline. It was a fairly long sail to the placewhich I had pointed out to Joyce, but with a light breeze behind herthe _Betty_ danced along so gaily that we covered the distance in asurprisingly short time. 

As we drew near, Joyce got out Tommy's field-glasses from the cabin, and kneeling up on the seat in the well, focused them carefully on thespot. 

"There's the entrance to the creek all right, " she said, "but I don'tsee any sign of a bungalow anywhere. " She moved the glasses slowlyfrom side to side. "Oh, yes, " she exclaimed suddenly, "I've got itnow--right up on the cliff there, away to the left. One can only justsee the roof, though, and it seems some way from the creek. "

She resigned the glasses to me, and took over the tiller, while I hada turn at examining the coast. 

I soon made out the roof of the bungalow, which, as Joyce had said, was the only part visible. It stood in a very lonely position, highup on a piece of rising ground, and half hidden from the sea by whatseemed like a thick privet hedge. To judge by the smoke which I couldjust discern rising from its solitary chimney, it looked as if theoccupants were addicted to the excellent habit of early rising. 

There was no other sign of them to be seen, however, and if the launchwas lying anywhere about, it was at all events invisible from the sea. I refreshed my memory with a long, careful scrutiny of the entrance tothe creek, and then handing the glasses back to Joyce I again assumedcontrol of the boat. 

"Well, " I observed, "we haven't wasted the morning. We know wheretheir bungalow door is, anyway. "

Joyce nodded. "It may come in very handy, " she said, "in case you everwant to pay them a surprise call. "

Exactly how soon that contingency was going to occur we neither of usguessed or imagined!

We reached the Nore Lightship, and waving a courteous greeting to apatient-looking gentleman who was spitting over the side, commencedour long beat back in the direction of Southend. It was slow work, forthe tide was only just beginning to turn, and the wind, such as therewas of it, was dead in our faces. However, I don't think either Joyceor I found the time hang heavily on our hands. If one can't be happywith the sun and the sea and the person one loves best in the world, it seems to me that one must be unreasonably difficult to please. 

We fetched up off Southend Pier at just about eleven o'clock. Ahoarse-voiced person in a blue jersey, who was leaning over the end, pointed us out some moorings that we were at liberty to pick up, andthen watched us critically while I stowed away the sails and locked upeverything in the boat which it was possible to steal. I had been toSouthend before in the old days. 

These simple precautions concluded, Joyce and I got in the dinghyand rowed to the steps. We were met by the gentleman in blue, whoconsiderately offered to keep his eye on the boat for us while I "andthe lady" enjoyed what he called "a run round the town. " I acceptedhis proposal, and having agreed with his statement that it was "a nicemorning for a sail, " set off with Joyce along the mile of pier thatseparated us from the shore. 

I don't know that our adventures for the next two or three hours callfor any detailed description. We wandered leisurely and cheerfullythrough the town, buying each other one or two trifles in the way ofpresents, and then adjourned for lunch to a large and rather dazzlinghotel that dominated the sea front. It was a new effort on the partof Southend since my time, but, as Joyce said, it "looked the sort ofplace where one was likely to get asparagus. "

Its appearance did not belie it. At a corner table in the window, looking out over the sea, we disposed of what the waiter described as"two double portions" of that agreeable vegetable, together with anexcellent steak and a bottle of sound if slightly too sweet burgundy. Then over a couple of cigarettes we discussed our immediate plans. 

"I think I'd better catch the three-thirty back, " said Joyce. "I'vegot one or two things I want to do before I meet George, and in anycase you mustn't stay here too long or you'll miss the tide. "

"That doesn't really matter, " I said. "Only I suppose I ought to getback just in case Tommy has turned up. I can't leave him sitting on amud-flat all night. "

Joyce laughed. "He'd probably be a little peevish in the morning. Menare so unreasonable. "

I leaned across the table and took her hand. "When are you coming downagain?" I asked. "Tomorrow?"

Joyce thought for a moment. "Tomorrow or the next day. It all dependsif I see a chance of getting anything more out of George. I'll writeto you or send you a wire, dear, anyhow. "

I nodded. "All right, " I said; "and look here, Joyce; you may as wellcome straight to the hut next time. It's not the least likely there'llbe any one there except me, and if there was you could easily pretendyou wanted to ask the way to Tilbury. You see, if Gow wasn't about, you would have to pull the dinghy all the way down the bank before yougot on board the _Betty_, and that's a nice, muddy, shin-scraping sortof job at the best of times. "

"Very well, " said Joyce. Then squeezing my hand a little tighter sheadded: "And my own Neil, you _will_ be careful, won't you? I alwaysseem to be asking you that, but, oh my dear, if you knew how horriblyfrightened I am of anything happening to you. It will be worse thanever now, after last night. I don't seem to feel it when I'm actuallywith you--I suppose I'm too happy--but when I'm away from you it'sjust like some ghastly horrible sword hanging over our heads all thetime. Neil darling, as soon as you get this money from McMurtrie--ifyou do get it--can't we just give up the whole thing and go away andbe happy together?"

I lifted her hand and pressed the inside of it against my lips. 

"Joyce, " I said, "think what it means. It's just funking life--justgiving it up because the odds seem too heavy against us. I shouldn'thave minded killing Marks in the least. I should be rather proud ofit. If I had, we would go away together tomorrow, and I should neverworry my head as to what any one in the world was saying or thinkingabout me. " I paused. "But I didn't kill him, " I added slowly, "andthat just makes all the difference. "

Joyce's blue eyes were very near tears, but they looked back steadilyand bravely into mine. 

"Yes, yes, " she said. "I didn't really mean it, Neil. I was just weakfor the moment--that's all. Right down in my heart I want everythingfor you; I could never be contented with less. I want the whole worldto know how they've wronged you; I want you to be famous and powerfuland splendid, and I want the people who've abused you to come andsmirk and grovel to you, and say that they knew all the time that youwere innocent. " She stopped and took a deep breath. "And they shall, Neil. I'm as certain of it as if I saw it happening. I seem to knowinside me that we're on the very point of finding out the truth. "

I don't think my worst enemy would accuse me of being superstitious, but there was a ring of conviction in Joyce's voice which somehow orother affected me curiously. 

"I believe you're right, " I said. "I've got something of that sort offeeling too. Perhaps it's infectious. " Then, letting go her hand, tospare the feelings of the waiter who had just come into the room, Isat back in my chair and ordered the bill. 

We didn't talk much on our way to the station. I think we were bothfeeling rather depressed at the prospect of doing without each otherfor at least twenty-four hours, and in any case the trams and motorsand jostling crowd of holiday-makers who filled the main street wouldhave rendered any connected conversation rather a difficult art. 

A good many people favoured Joyce with glances of admiration, especially a spruce-looking young constable who officially held up thetraffic to allow us to cross the road. He paid no attention at all tome, but I consoled myself with the reflection that he was missing anexcellent chance of promotion. 

At the station I put Joyce into a first-class carriage, kissed heraffectionately under the disapproving eye of an old lady in theopposite corner, and then stood on the platform until the trainsteamed slowly out of the station. 

I turned away at last, feeling quite unpleasantly alone. It's no goodworrying about what can't be altered, however, so, lighting a cigar, Istrolled back philosophically to the hotel, where I treated myself tothe luxury of a hot bath before rejoining the boat. 

It must have been pretty nearly half-past four by the time I reachedthe pier-head. My friend with the hoarse voice and the blue jersey wasstill hanging around, looking rather thirsty and exhausted after hisstrenuous day's work of watching over the dinghy. I gave him half acrown for his trouble, and followed by his benediction pulled off forthe _Betty_. 

The wind had gone round a bit to the south, and as the tide was stillcoming in I decided to sail up to the creek in preference to using theengine. The confounded throb of the latter always got on my nerves, and apart from that I felt that the mere fact of having to handle thesails would keep my mind lightly but healthily occupied. Unless I wasmistaken, a little light healthy occupation was exactly what my mindneeded. 

As occasionally happens on exceptionally fine days in late spring, theperfect clearness of the afternoon was gradually beginning to giveplace to a sort of fine haze. It was not thick enough, however, tobother me in any way, and under a jib and mainsail the _Betty_ swishedalong at such a satisfactory pace that I was in sight of GravesendReach before either the light or the tide had time to fail me. 

I thought I knew the entrance to the creek well enough by now to runher in under sail, though it was a job that required a certain amountof cautious handling. Anyhow I decided to risk it, and, heading forthe shore, steered her up the narrow channel, which I had been carefulto take the bearings of at low water. 

I was so engrossed in this feat of navigation that I took no noticeof anything else, until a voice from the bank abruptly attracted myattention. I looked up with a start, nearly running myself aground, and there on the bank I saw a gesticulating figure, which Iimmediately recognized as that of Tommy. I shouted a greeting back, and swinging the _Betty_ round, brought up in almost the identicalplace where we had anchored on the previous night. 

Tommy, who had hurried down to the edge of the water, gave me a secondhail. 

"Buck up, old son!" he called out. "There's something doing. "

A suggestion of haste from Tommy argued a crisis of such urgencythat I didn't waste any time asking questions. I just threw over theanchor, and tumbling into the dinghy sculled ashore as quickly as Icould. 

"Sorry I kept you waiting, Tommy, " I said, as he jumped into the boat. "Been here long?"

"About three hours, " he returned. "I was beginning to wonder if youwere dead. "

I shook my head. "I'm not fit to die yet, " I replied. "What's thematter?"

He looked at his watch. "Well, the chief matter is the time. Do youthink I can get to Sheppey by half-past nine?"

I paused in my rowing. "Sheppey!" I repeated. "Why damn it, Tommy, I've just come back from Sheppey. "

It was Tommy's turn to look surprised. "The devil you have!" heexclaimed. "What took you there?"

"To be exact, " I said, "it was the _Betty_"; and then in as few wordsas possible I proceeded to acquaint him with the morning's doings. Iwas just finishing as we came alongside. 

"Well, that's fine about the powder, " he said, scrambling on board. "Where's Gow?"

"Joyce sent him off for a holiday, " I answered, "and he hasn't comeback yet. " Then hitching up the dinghy I added curiously: "What's up, Tommy? Let's have it. "

"It's Latimer, " he said. "I told you I was expecting to hear from him. He sent me a message round early this morning, and I've promised himI'll be in the creek under the German's bungalow by half-past nine. Imust get there somehow. "

"Oh, we'll get there all right, " I returned cheerfully, "What's thegame?"

"I think he's having a squint round, " said Tommy. "Anyhow I know he'sthere on his own and depending on me to pick him up. "

"But what made him ask you?" I demanded. 

"He knew I had a boat, and I fancy he's working this particular racketwithout any official help. As far as I can make out, he wants to bequite certain what these fellows are up to before he strikes. Youdon't get much sympathy in the Secret Service if you happen to make amistake. "

"Well, it's no good wasting time talking, " I said. "If we want to bethere by half-past nine we must push off at once. "

"But what about you?" exclaimed Tommy. "You can't come! He's seen you, you know, at the hut. "

"What does it matter?" I objected. "If he didn't recognize me as thechap who sent him the note at Parelli's, we can easily fake up someexplanation. Tell him I'm a new member of the Athenians, and that youhappened to run across me and brought me down to help work the boat. There's no reason one shouldn't be a yachtsman and a photographertoo. "

I spoke lightly, but as a matter of fact I was some way fromtrusting Tommy's judgment implicitly with regard to Latimer'sstraightforwardness about the restaurant incident, and also abouthis visit to the hut. All the same, I was quite determined to go toSheppey. Things had come to a point now when there was nothing to begained by over-caution. Either Latimer had recognized me or else hehadn't. In the first event, he knew already that Tommy had been tryingto deceive him, and that the mythical artist person was none otherthan myself. If that were so, I felt it was best to take the bull bythe horns, and try to find out exactly what part he suspected me ofplaying. I had at least saved his life, and although we live in anungrateful world, he seemed bound to be more or less prejudiced in myfavour. 

Apart from these considerations, Tommy would certainly want some helpin working the _Betty_. He knew his job well enough, but with a hazeon the river and the twilight drawing in rapidly, the mouth of theThames is no place for single-handed sailing--especially when you'rein a hurry. 

Tommy evidently recognized this, for he raised no further objections. 

"Very well, " he said, with a rather reckless laugh. "We're gambling abit, but that's the fault of the cards. Up with the anchor, Neil, andlet's get a move on her. "

I hauled in the chain, and then jumped up to attend to the sails, which I had just let down loosely on deck, in my hurry to put off inthe dinghy. After a couple of unsuccessful efforts and two or threevery successful oaths, Tommy persuaded the engine to start, and wethrobbed off slowly down the creek--now quite a respectable estuary oftidal water. 

I sat back in the well with a laugh. "I never expected a second triptonight, " I said. "I'm beginning to feel rather like the captain of apenny steamer. "

Tommy, who was combining the important duties of steering and lightinga pipe, looked up from his labours. 

"The Lyndon-Morrison Line!" he observed. "Tilbury to Sheppey twicedaily. Passengers are requested not to speak to the man at the wheel. "

"I think, Tommy, " I said, "that we must make an exception in the caseof Mr. Latimer. "

CHAPTER XX

APPROACHING A SOLUTION

A Chinese proverb informs us that "there are three hundred andforty-six subjects for elegant conversation, " but during the trip downI think that Tommy and I confined ourselves almost exclusively to two. One was Mr. Bruce Latimer, and the other was Joyce's amazing discoveryabout McMurtrie and Marks. 

Concerning the latter Tommy was just as astonished and baffled as Iwas. 

"I'm blessed if I know what to think about it, Neil, " he admitted. "Ifit was any one else but Joyce, I should say she'd made a mistake. Whaton earth could McMurtrie have had to do with that Jew beast?"

"Joyce seems to think he had quite a lot to do with him, " I said. 

Tommy nodded. "I know. She's made up her mind he did the job allright; but, hang it all, one doesn't go and murder people without anyconceivable reason. "

"I can conceive plenty of excellent reasons for murdering Marks, " Isaid impartially. "I should hardly think they would have appealed toMcMurtrie, though. The chief thing that makes me suspicious about himis the fact of his knowing George and hiding it from me all thistime. I suppose that was how he got hold of his information about thepowder. George was almost the only person who knew of it. "

"I always thought the whole business was a devilish odd one, " growledTommy; "but the more one finds out about it the queerer it seems toget. These people of yours--McMurtrie and Savaroff--are weird enoughcustomers on their own, but when it comes to their being mixed up withboth George _and_ Marks ... " he paused. "It will turn out next thatLatimer's in it too, " he added half-mockingly. 

"I shouldn't wonder, " I said. "I can't swallow everything he told you, Tommy. It leaves too much unexplained. You see, I'm pretty certainthat the chap who tried to do him in is one of McMurtrie's crowd, andin that case--"

"In that case, " interrupted Tommy, with a short laugh, "we ought tohave rather an interesting evening. Seems to me, Neil, we're what youmight call burning our boats this journey. "

The old compunction I had felt at first against dragging Tommy andJoyce into my affairs suddenly came back to me with renewed force. 

"I'm a selfish brute, Thomas, " I said ruefully. "I think the bestthing I could do really would be to drop overboard. The Lord knowswhat trouble I shall land you in before I've finished. "

"You'll land me into the trouble of telling you not to talk rot in aminute, " he returned. Then, standing up and peering out ahead overthe long dim expanse of water, dotted here and there with patches ofblurred light, he added cheerfully: "You take her over now, Neil, We're right at the end of the Yantlet, and after this morning youought to know the rest of the way better than I do. "

He resigned the tiller to me, and pulling out his watch, held it up tothe binnacle lamp. 

"Close on a quarter to nine, " he said. "We shall just do it nicely ifthe engine doesn't stop. "

"I hope so, " I said. "I should hate to keep a Government officialwaiting. "

We crossed the broad entrance into Queenborough Harbour, where the dimbulk of a couple of battleships loomed up vaguely through the haze. It was a strange, exhilarating sensation, throbbing along in thesemi-darkness, with all sorts of unknown possibilities waiting forus ahead. More than ever I felt what Joyce had described in themorning--a sort of curious inward conviction that we were at last onthe point of finding out the truth. 

"We'd better slacken down a bit when we get near, " said Tommy. "Latimer specially told me to bring her in as quietly as I could. "

I nodded. "Right you are, " I said. "I wasn't going to hurry, anyhow. It's a tricky place, and I don't want to smash up any more islands. One a day is quite enough. "

I slowed down the engine to about four knots an hour, and at thisdignified pace we proceeded along the coast, keeping a watchful eyefor the entrance to the creek. At last a vague outline of risingground showed us that we were in the right neighbourhood, and bringingthe _Betty_ round, I headed her in very delicately towards the shore. It was distressingly dark, from a helmsman's point of view, but Tommy, who had gone up into the bows, handed me back instructions, andby dint of infinite care we succeeded in making the opening withsurprising accuracy. 

The creek was quite small, with a steep bank one side perhaps fifteenfeet high, and what looked like a stretch of mud or saltings on theother. Its natural beauties, however, if it had any, were ratherobscured by the darkness. 

"What shall we do now, Tommy?" I asked in a subdued voice. "Turn herround?"

He came back to the well. "Yes, " he said, "turn her round, and thenI'll cut out the engine and throttle her down. She'll make a certainamount of row, but we can't help that. I daren't stop her; or shemight never start again. "

We carried out our manoeuvre successfully, and then dropped over theanchor to keep us in position. I seated myself on the roof of thecabin, and pulling out a pipe, commenced to fill it. 

"I wonder how long the interval is, " I said. "I suppose spying is asort of job you can't fix an exact time-limit to. "

Tommy looked at his watch again. "It's just on a quarter to ten now. He told me not to wait after half-past. "

I stuffed down the baccy with my thumb, and felt in my pocket for amatch. 

"It seems to me--" I began. 

The interesting remark I was about to make was never uttered. From thehigh ground away to the left came the sudden crack of a revolver shotthat rang out with startling viciousness on the night air. It wasfollowed almost instantly by a second. 

Tommy and I leaped up together, inspired simultaneously by the sameidea. Being half way there, however, I easily reached the painterfirst. 

"All right, " I cried, "I'll pick him up. You haul in and have herready to start. "

I don't know exactly what the record is for getting off in a dinghy inthe dark, but I think I hold it with something to spare. I was awayfrom the ship and sculling furiously for the shore in about the sametime that it has taken to write this particular sentence. 

I pulled straight for the direction in which I had heard the shots. It was the steepest part of the cliff, but under the circumstances itseemed the most likely spot at which my services would be required. People are apt to take a short cut when revolver bullets are chasingabout the neighbourhood. 

I stopped rowing a few yards from the shore, and swinging the boatround, stared up through the gloom. There was just light enough tomake out the top of the cliff, which appeared to be covered by a thickgrowth of gorse several feet in height. I backed away a stroke or two, and as I did so, there came a sudden snapping, rustling sound fromup above, and the next instant the figure of a man broke through thebushes. 

He peered down eagerly at the water. 

"That you, Morrison?" he called out in a low, distinct voice, which Irecognized at once. 

"Yes, " I answered briefly. It struck me as being no time for elaborateexplanations. 

Mr. Latimer was evidently of the same opinion. Without any furtherremark, he stepped forward to the edge of the cliff, and jumping wellout into the air, came down with a beautiful splash about a dozenyards from the boat. 

He rose to the surface at once, and I was alongside of him a momentlater. 

"It's all right, " I said, as he clutched hold of the stern. "Morrison's in the _Betty_; I'm lending him a hand. "

I caught his arm to help him in, and as I did so he gave a littlesharp exclamation of pain. 

"Hullo!" I said, shifting my grip. "What's the matter?"

With an effort he hoisted himself up into the boat. 

"Nothing much, thanks, " he answered in that curious composed voice ofhis. "I think one of our friends made a luckier shot than he deservedto. It's only my left arm, though. "

I seized the sculls, and began to pull off quickly for the _Betty_. 

"We'll look at it in a second, " I said. "Are they after you?"

He laughed. "Yes, some little way after. I took the precaution ofstarting in the other direction and then doubling back. It workedexcellently. "

He spoke in the same rather amused drawl as he had done at the hut, and there was no hint of hurry or excitement in his manner. I couldjust see, however, that he was dressed in rough, common-lookingclothes, and that he was no longer wearing an eye-glass. If he had hada cap, he had evidently parted with it during his dive into the sea. 

A few strokes brought us to the _Betty_, where Tommy was leaning overthe side ready to receive us. 

"All right?" he inquired coolly, as we scrambled on board. 

"Nothing serious, " replied Latimer. "Thanks to you and--and thisgentleman. "

"They've winged him, Tommy, " I said. "Can you take her out while Ihave a squint at the damage?"

Tommy's answer was to thrust in the clutch of the engine, and with anabrupt jerk we started off down the creek. As we did so there came asudden hail from the shore. 

"Boat ahoy! What boat's that?"

It was a deep, rather dictatorial sort of voice, with the faintestpossible touch of a foreign accent about it. 

Latimer replied at once in a cheerful, good-natured bawl, amazinglydifferent from his ordinary tone:

"Private launch, _Vanity_, Southend; and who the hell are you?"

Whether the vigour of the reply upset our questioner or not, I can'tsay. Anyhow he returned no answer, and leaving him to think what hepleased, we continued our way out into the main stream. 

"Come into the cabin and let's have a look at you, " I said to Latimer. "You must get those wet things off, anyhow. "

He followed me inside, where I took down the small hanging lamp andplaced it on the table. Then very carefully I helped him strip off hiscoat, bringing to light a grey flannel shirt, the left sleeve of whichwas soaked in blood. 

I took out my knife, and ripped it up from the cuff to the shoulder. The wound was about a couple of inches above the elbow, a small cleanpuncture right through from side to side. It was bleeding a bit, butone could see at a glance that the bullet had just missed the bone. 

"You're lucky, " I said. "Another quarter of an inch, and that armwould have been precious little use to you for the next two months. Does it hurt much?"

He shook his head. "Not the least, " he replied carelessly. "I hardlyknew I was hit until you grabbed hold of me. "

I tied my handkerchief round as tightly as possible just above theplace, and then going to the locker hauled out our spare fancy costumewhich had previously done duty for Mr. Gow. 

"You get these on first, " I said, "and then I'll fix you up properly. "

I thrust my head out through the cabin door to see how things weregoing, and found that we were already clear of the creek and headingback towards Queenborough. Tommy, who was sitting at the tillerpuffing away peacefully at a pipe, removed the latter article from hismouth. 

"Where are we going to, my pretty maid?" he inquired. 

"I don't know, " I said; "I'll ask the passenger as soon as I'vefinished doctoring him. "

I returned to the cabin, where Mr. Latimer, who had stripped offhis wet garments, was attempting to dry himself with a dishcloth. Imanaged to find him a towel, and then, as soon as he had struggledinto a pair of flannel trousers and a vest, I set about the job oftying up his arm. An old shirt of Tommy's served me as a bandage, andalthough I don't profess to be an expert, I knew enough about firstaid to make a fairly serviceable job of it. Anyhow Mr. Latimerexpressed himself as being completely satisfied. 

"You'd better have a drink now, " I said. "That's part of thetreatment. "

I mixed him a stiff peg, which he consumed without protest; and then, after he had inserted himself carefully into a jersey and coat, weboth went outside. 

"Hullo!" exclaimed Tommy genially. "How do you feel now?"

Our visitor sat down on one of the side seats in the cockpit, andcontemplated us both with his pleasant smile. 

"I feel extremely obliged to you, Morrison, " he said. "You have a wayof keeping your engagements that I find most satisfactory. "

Tommy laughed. "I had a bit of luck, " he returned. "If I hadn't pickedup our pal here I doubt if I should have got down in time after all. By the way, there's no need to introduce you. You've met each otherbefore at the hut, haven't you?"

Latimer, who was just lighting a cigar which I had offered him, pausedfor a moment in the operation. 

"Yes, " he said quietly. "We have met each other before. But I shouldrather like to be introduced, all the same. "

Something in his manner struck me as being a trifle odd, but if Tommynoticed it he certainly didn't betray the fact. 

"Well, you shall be, " he answered cheerfully. "This is Mr. JamesNicholson. "

Latimer finished lighting his cigar, blew out the match, and droppedit carefully over the side. 

"Indeed, " he said. "It only shows how extremely inaccurate one'sreasoning powers can be. "

There was a short but rather pregnant pause. Then Tommy leanedforward. 

"What do you mean?" he asked, in that peculiarly gentle voice which hekeeps for the most unhealthy occasions. 

Latimer's face remained beautifully impassive. "I was under themistaken impression, " he answered slowly, "that I owed my life to Mr. Neil Lyndon. "

For perhaps three seconds none of us spoke; then I broke the silencewith a short laugh. 

"We are up against it, Thomas, " I observed. 

Tommy looked backwards and forwards from one to the other of us. 

"What shall we do?" he said quietly. "Throw him in the river?"

"It would be rather extravagant, " I objected, "after we've just pulledhim out. "

Latimer smiled. "I am not sure I don't deserve it. I have lied to you, Morrison, all through in the most disgraceful manner. " Then he paused. "Still it _would_ be extravagant, " he added. "I think I can convinceyou of that before we get to Queenborough. "

Tommy throttled down the engine to about its lowest running point. 

"Look here, Latimer, " he said. "We're not going to Queenborough, oranywhere else, until we've got the truth out of you. You understandthat, of course. You've put yourself in our power deliberately, andyou must have some reason. One doesn't cut one's throat for fun. "

He spoke in his usual pleasant fashion, but there was a grimseriousness behind it which no one could pretend to misunderstand. Latimer, at all events, made no attempt to. He merely nodded his headapprovingly. 

"You're quite right, " he said. "I had made up my mind you should hearsome of the truth tonight in any case; that was the chief reason whyI asked you to come and pick me up. When I saw you had brought Mr. Lyndon with you, I determined to tell you everything. It's thesimplest and best way, after all. "

He stopped for a moment, and we all three sat there in silence, whilethe _Betty_ slowly throbbed her way forward, splashing off the blackwater from either bow. Then Latimer began to speak again quitequietly. 

"I _am_ in the Secret Service, " he said; "but you can forget the restof what I told you the other night, Morrison. I am after bigger gamethan a couple of German spies--though they come into it right enough. I am on the track of three friends of Mr. Lyndon's, who just now areas badly wanted in Whitehall as they probably are in hell. "

I leaned back with a certain curious thrill of satisfaction. 

"I thought so, " I said softly. 

He glanced at me with his keen blue eyes, and the light of the lampshining on his face showed up its square dogged lines of strength andpurpose. It was a fine face--the face of a man without weakness andwithout fear. 

"It's nearly twelve months ago now, " he continued, "that we firstbegan to realize at headquarters that there was something queer goingon. There's always a certain amount of spying in every country--thesort of quiet, semi-official kind that doesn't do any one a ha'porthof practical harm. Now and then, of course, somebody gets dropped on, and there's a fuss in the papers, but nobody really bothers much aboutit. This was different, however. Two or three times things happenedthat did matter very much indeed. They were the sort of things thatshowed us pretty plainly we were up against something entirelynew--some kind of organized affair that had nothing on earth to dowith the usual casual spying. 

"Well, I made up my mind to get to the bottom of it. Casement, who isnominally the head of our department, gave me an absolutely free hand, and I set to work in my own way quite independently of the police. Itwas six months before I got hold of a clue. Then some designs--somevaluable battleship designs--disappeared from Devonport Dockyard. Itwas a queer case, but there were one or two things about it which mademe pretty sure it was the work of the same gang, and that for thetime, at all events, they were somewhere in the neighbourhood. 

"I needn't bother you now with all the details of how I actually ranthem to earth. It wasn't an easy job. They weren't the sort of peoplewho left any spare bits of evidence lying around, and by the time Ifound out where they were living it was just too late. " He turned tome. "Otherwise, Mr. Lyndon, I think we might possibly have had thepleasure of meeting earlier. "

A sudden forgotten recollection of my first interview with McMurtrieflashed vividly into my mind. 

"By Jove!" I exclaimed. "What a fool I am! I knew I'd heard your namesomewhere before. "

Latimer nodded. "Yes, " he said. "I daresay I had begun to arouse acertain amount of interest in the household by the time you arrived. "He paused. "By the way, I am still quite in the dark as to how youactually got in with them. Had they managed to send you a message intothe prison?"

"No, " I said. "I'm equally in the dark as to how you've found out whoI am, but you seem to know so much already, you may as well have thetruth. It was chance; just pure chance and a bicycle. I hadn't theremotest notion who lived in the house. I was trying to steal somefood. "

Latimer nodded again. "It was a chance that a man like McMurtriewasn't likely to waste. I don't know yet how you're paying him for hishelp, but I should imagine it's a fairly stiff price. However, we'llcome back to that afterwards. 

"I was just too late, as I told you, to interrupt your pleasant littlehouse-party. I managed to find out, however, that some of you had goneto London, and I followed at once. It was then, I think, that thedoctor decided it was time to take the gloves off. 

"So far, although I'd been on their heels for weeks, I hadn't set eyeson any of the gang personally. All the same, I had a pretty good ideaof what McMurtrie and Savaroff were like to look at, and I fancy theyprobably guessed as much. Anyhow, as you know, it was the thirdmember of the brotherhood--a gentleman who, I believe, calls himselfHoffman--who was entrusted with the job of putting me out of the way. "

A faint mocking smile flickered for a moment round his lips. 

"That was where the doctor made his first slip. It never pays tounderestimate your enemy. Hoffman certainly had a good story, andhe told it well, but after thirteen years in the Secret Service Ishouldn't trust the Archbishop of Canterbury till I'd proved hiscredentials. I agreed to dine at Parelli's, but I took the precautionof having two of my own men there as well--one in the restaurantand one outside in the street. I had given them instructions that, whatever happened, they were to keep Hoffman shadowed till furtherorders. 

"Well, you know how things turned out almost as well as I do. I wasvastly obliged to you for sending me that note, but as a matter offact I hadn't the least intention of drinking the wine. Indeed, Iturned away purposely to give Hoffman the chance to doctor it. Whatdid beat me altogether was who you were. I naturally couldn't placeyou at all. I saw that you recognized one of us when you came in, andthat you were watching our table pretty attentively in the glass. Ihad a horrible suspicion for a moment that you were a Scotland Yardman, and were going to bungle the whole business by arresting Hoffman. That was why I sent you my card; I knew if you were at the Yard you'drecognize my name. "

"I severed my connection with the police some time ago, " I said drily. "What happened after dinner? I've been longing to know ever since. "

"I got rid of Hoffman at the door, and from the time he left therestaurant my men never lost him again. They shadowed him to hislodgings--he was living in a side street near Victoria--and for thenext two days I got a detailed report of everything he did. It wasquite interesting reading. Amongst other things it included paying amorning visit to the hut you're living in at present, Mr. Lyndon, andgoing on from there to spend the afternoon calling on some friends atSheppey. "

I laughed gently, and turned to Tommy. "Amazingly simple, " I said, "when you know how it's done. "

Tommy nodded. "I've got all that part, but I'm still utterly at seaabout how he dropped on to you. "

"That was simpler still, " answered Latimer. "One of my men told methat the hut was empty for the time, so I came down to have a lookat it. " He turned to me. "Of course I recognized you at once as theobliging stranger of the restaurant. That didn't put me much fartheron the road, but when Morrison rolled up with his delightfullyingenious yarn, he gave me just the clue I was looking for. I knewhis story was all a lie because I'd seen you since. Well, a manlike Morrison doesn't butt into this sort of business without aparticularly good reason, and it didn't take me very long to guesswhat his reason was. You see I remembered him chiefly in connectionwith your trial. I knew he was your greatest friend; I knew you hadescaped from Dartmoor and disappeared somewhere in the neighbourhoodof McMurtrie's place, and putting two and two together there was onlyone conclusion I could possibly come to. "

"My appearance must have taken a little getting over, " I suggested. 

Latimer shrugged his shoulders. "Apart from your features you exactlyfitted the bill, and I had learned enough about McMurtrie's pastperformances not to let that worry me. What I couldn't make out waswhy he should have run the risk of helping you. Of course you mighthave offered him a large sum of money--if you had it put awaysomewhere--but in that case there seemed no reason why you should behanging about in a hut on the Thames marshes. "

"Why didn't you tell the police?" asked Tommy. 

"The police!" Latimer's voice was full of pleasant irony. "My dearMorrison, we don't drag the police into this sort of business; ourgreat object is to keep them out of it. Mr. Lyndon's affairs hadnothing to do with me officially apart from his being mixed up withMcMurtrie. Besides, my private sympathies were entirely with him. Notonly had he tried to save my life at Parelli's, but ever since thetrial I have always been under the impression he was fully entitled toslaughter Mr. --Mr. --whatever the scoundrel's name was. "

I acknowledged the remark with a slight bow. "Thank you, " I said. "Asa matter of sober fact I didn't kill him, but I shouldn't be the leastsorry for it if I had. "

Latimer looked at me for a moment straight in the eyes. 

"We've treated you beautifully as a nation, " he said slowly. "It's animpertinence on my part to expect you to help us. "

I laughed. "Go on, " I said. "Let's get it straightened out anyhow. "

"Well, the straightening out must be largely done by you. As far asI'm concerned the rest of the story can be told very quickly. Forvarious reasons I got to the conclusion that in some way or other thetwo gentlemen on Sheppey had a good deal to do with the matter. My menhad been making a few inquiries about them, and from what we'd learnedI was strongly inclined to think they were a couple of German navalofficers over here on leave. If that was so, the fact that they werein communication with Hoffman made it pretty plain where McMurtrie wasfinding his market. My men had told me they were generally away on themainland in the evening, and I made up my mind I'd have a look at theplace the first chance I got. I asked Morrison to come down and pickme up in his boat for two reasons--partly because I wanted to keep intouch with you both, and partly because I thought it might come inhandy to have a second line of retreat. "

"It _was_ rather convenient, as things turned out, " interposed Tommy. 

"Very, " admitted Latimer drily. "They got back to the garden just as Ihad opened one of the windows, and shot at me from behind the hedge. If it hadn't been for the light they must have picked me off. "

He stopped, and standing up in the well, looked round. By this time wewere again just off the entrance to Queenborough, and the thick hazethat had obscured everything earlier in the evening was rapidlythinning away. A watery moon showed up the various warships atanchor--dim grey formless shapes, marked by blurred lights. 

"What do you say?" he asked, turning to Tommy. "Shall we run in hereand pick up some moorings? Before we go any further I want to hearLyndon's part of the story, and then we all three shall know exactlywhere we are. After that you can throw me in the sea, or--or--well, Ithink there are several possible alternatives. "

"We'll find out anyhow, " said Tommy. 

He turned the _Betty_ towards the shore, and we worked our waycarefully into the harbour. We ran on past the anchored vessels, untilwe were right opposite the Queenborough jetty, where we discoveredsome unoccupied moorings which we promptly adopted. It was a snugberth, and a fairly isolated one--a rakish-looking little gunboatbeing our nearest neighbour. 

In this pleasant atmosphere of law and order I proceeded to narrate asbriefly and quickly as possible the main facts about my escape and itsresults. I felt that we had gone too far now to keep anything back. Latimer had boldly placed his own cards face upwards on the table, andshort of sending him to the fishes, there seemed to be nothing elseto do except to follow his example. As he himself had said, we shouldthen at least know exactly how we stood with regard to each other. 

He listened to me for the most part in silence, but the fewinterruptions that he did make showed the almost fierce attention withwhich he was following my story. I don't think his eyes ever left myface from the first word to the last. 

When I had finished he sat on for perhaps a minute without speaking. Then very deliberately he leaned across and held out his hand. 

We exchanged grips, and for once in my life I found a man whosefingers seemed as strong as my own. 

"I don't know whether that makes you an accessory after the fact, "I said. "I believe it's about eighteen months for being civil to anescaped convict. "

He let go my hand, and getting up from his seat leaned back againstthe door of the cabin facing us both. 

"You may be an escaped convict, Mr. Lyndon, " he said slowly, "but ifyou choose I believe you can do more for England than any man alive. "

There was a short pause. 

"It seems to me, " interrupted Tommy, "that England is a little bit inNeil's debt already. "

"That doesn't matter, " I observed generously. "Let's hear what Mr. Latimer has got to say. " I turned to him. "Who are McMurtrie andSavaroff?" I asked, "and what the devil's the meaning of it all?"

"The meaning is plain enough to a certain point, " he answered. "Ihaven't the least doubt that they intend to sell the secret of yourpowder to Germany, just as they've sold their other information. If Iknew for certain it was only that, I should act, and act at once. "

He stopped. 

"Well?" I said. 

"I believe there's something more behind it--something we've got tofind out before we strike. For the last two months Germany has takena tone towards us diplomatically that can only have one explanation. They mean to get their way or fight, and if it comes to a fightthey're under the impression they're going to beat us. "

"And you really believe McMurtrie and Savaroff are responsible fortheir optimism?" I asked a little incredulously. 

Latimer nodded. "Dr. McMurtrie, " he said in his quiet drawl, "is themost dangerous man in Europe. He is partly English and partly Russianby birth. At one time he used to be court physician at St. Petersburg. Savaroff is a German Pole--his real name is Vassiloff. Between themthey were largely responsible for the early disasters in the Japanesewar. "

For a moment no one spoke. Then Tommy leaned forward. "I say, Latimer, " he exclaimed, "is this serious history?"

"The Russian Government, " replied Latimer, "are most certainly underthat impression. "

"But if they know about it, " I objected, "how is it that McMurtrie andSavaroff aren't in Siberia? I've never heard that the Russians areparticularly tender-hearted where traitors are concerned. "

Latimer indulged in that peculiarly dry smile of his. "If theGovernment had got hold of them I think their destination would havebeen a much warmer one than Siberia. As it was they disappeared justin time. There was a gang of them--four or five at the least--and allmen of position and influence. They must have made an enormous amountof money out of the Japs. In the end one of them rounded on theothers--at least that's what appears to have happened. AnyhowMcMurtrie and Savaroff skipped, and skipped in such a hurry that theyseem to have left most of their savings behind them. I suppose that'swhat made them start business again in England. "

"You're absolutely sure they're the same pair?" asked Tommy. 

"Absolutely. I've got their full description from the Russian police. It tallies in every way--even to Savaroff's daughter. There _is_ agirl with them, I believe?"

"Yes, " I said. "There's a girl. " Then I paused for a moment. "Lookhere, Latimer, " I went on. "What is it you want me to do? I'll helpyou in any way I can. When I made my bargain with McMurtrie I hadn'ta notion what his real game was. I don't in the least want to buy myfreedom by selling England to Germany. The only thing I flatly andutterly refuse to do is to serve out the rest of my sentence. If it'sbound to come out who I am, you must give me your word I shall havea reasonable warning. I don't much mind dying--especially if I canarrange for ten minutes with George first--but quite candidly I'd seeEngland wiped off the map before I'd go back to Dartmoor. "

Latimer made a slight gesture with his hands. "You've saved my life, once at all events, " he said. "It may seem a trifle to you, but it's amatter of quite considerable importance to me. I don't think you needworry about going back to Dartmoor--not as long as the Secret Serviceis in existence. "

"Well, what is it you want me to do?" I asked again. 

He was silent for a moment or two, as though arranging his ideas. Thenhe began to speak very slowly and deliberately. 

"I want you to go on as if nothing had happened. Write to McMurtriethe first thing tomorrow morning and tell him that you've made thepowder. He is sure to come down to the hut at once. You can show himthat it's genuine, but on no account let him have any of it to takeaway. Tell him that you will only hand over the secret on receipt ofa written agreement, and make him see that you're absolutely serious. Meanwhile let me know everything that happens as soon as you possiblycan. Telegraph to me at 145 Jermyn Street. You can send in themessages to Tilbury by the man who's looking after your boat. Use somequick simple cypher--suppose we say the alphabet backwards, Z for Aand so on. Have you got plenty of money?"

I nodded. "I should like to have some sort of notion what you're goingto do, " I said. "It would be much more inspiriting than working in thedark. "

"It depends entirely on the next two days. I shall go back to Londontonight and find out if either of my men has got hold of any freshinformation. Then I shall put the whole thing in front of Casement. Ifhe agrees with me I shall wait till the last possible moment beforestriking. We've enough evidence about the Devonport case to arrestMcMurtrie and Savaroff straight away, but I feel it would be madnesswhile there's a chance of getting to the bottom of this business. Perhaps you understand now why I've risked everything tonight. We'replaying for high stakes, Mr. Lyndon, and you--" he paused--"well, I'minclined to think that you've the ace of trumps. "

I stood up and faced him. "I hope so, " I said. "I'm rather tired ofbeing taken for the Knave. "

"Isn't there a job for me?" asked Tommy pathetically. "I'm open foranything, especially if it wants a bit of physical violence. "

"There will probably be a demand for that a little later on, " saidLatimer in his quiet drawl. "At present I want you to come back withme to London. I shall find plenty for you to do there, Morrison. Thefewer people that are mixed up in this affair the better. " He turnedto me. "You can take the boat back to Tilbury alone if we go ashorehere?"

I nodded, and he once more held out his hand. 

"We shall meet again soon, " he said--"very soon I think. Have you everread Longfellow?"

It was such a surprising question that I couldn't help smiling. 

"Not recently, " I said. "I haven't been in the mood for poetry thelast two or three years. "

He held my hand and his blue eyes looked steadily into mine. 

"Ah, " he said. "I don't want to be too optimistic, but there's a versein Longfellow which I think you might like. " He paused again. "It hassomething to do with the Mills of God, " he added slowly. 

CHAPTER XXI

SONIA'S SUDDEN VISIT

One's feelings are queer things. Personally I never have the leastnotion how a particular situation will affect me until I happen tofind myself in it. 

I should have thought, for instance, that Latimer's revelations wouldhave left me in a state of vast excitement, but as a matter of factI don't think I ever felt cooler in my life. I believe every otheremotion was swallowed up in the relief of finding out somethingdefinite at last. 

I know anyhow that that was my chief sensation as I rowed the dinghytowards the wet slimy causeway, lit by its solitary lamp. There was aboat train to town in the early hours of the morning which Latimer hadsuggested that he and Tommy should catch, and it certainly seemed asafer plan than coming back to Tilbury with me. 

When I had parted from them, under the sleepy eye of adepressed-looking night watchman, I returned to the _Betty_ andproceeded to let go my moorings. I then ran up the sails, and glidinggently past the warships and a big incoming steamer, floated out intothe broad peaceful darkness of the Thames estuary. I was in no hurry, and now that the mist had cleared away it was a perfect night fordrifting comfortably up river with the tide. 

The dawn was just beginning to break by the time I reached my oldanchorage in the creek. In spite of my long and slightly strenuousday, I didn't feel particularly tired, so after stowing away the sailsand tidying up things generally, I sat down in the cabin and began tocompose my letter to McMurtrie. 

I started off by telling him that I had completed my invention somedays earlier than I expected to, and then gave him a brief butdramatic description of the success which had attended my firstexperiment. I am afraid I was a trifle inaccurate with regard todetails, but the precise truth is a luxury that very few of us canafford to indulge in. I certainly couldn't. When I had finished Iaddressed the envelope to the Hotel Russell, and then, turning intoone of the bunks, soon dropped off into a well-deserved sleep. 

I don't know whether it was Nature that aroused me, or whether it wasMr. Gow. Anyway I woke up with the distinct impression that somebodywas hailing the boat, and thrusting my head up through the hatch Idiscovered my faithful retainer standing on the bank. 

He greeted me with a slightly apologetic air when I put off to fetchhim. 

"Good-mornin', sir. I hope I done right stoppin' ashore, sir. Theyoung lady told me I wouldn't be wanted not till this mornin'. "

"The young lady was quite correct, " I said. "You weren't. " Then as wepushed off for the _Betty_ I added: "But I'm glad you've come backin good time today. I want you to go in and post a letter for me atTilbury as soon as we've had some breakfast. You might get a newspaperfor me at the same time. "

"Talkin' o' noos, sir, " observed Mr. Gow with sudden interest, "'ave you heard tell about the back o' Canvey Island bein' blown upyesterday mornin'?"

"Blown up!" I repeated as we ran alongside. "Who on earth did that?"

Mr. Gow shook his head as he clambered on board after me. "No onedon't seem to know, " he remarked. "'Twere done arly in the mornin', they reckon. There's some as says 'tis the suffrinjettes, but to myway o' thinkin' sir; it's more like to have somethin' to do with themblarsted Dutchmen as sunk my boat. "

"By Jove!" I exclaimed, "I wonder if it had. They seem to bemischievous devils. "

Mr. Gow nodded emphatically. "They are, sir, and that's a fact. 'Tistime somebody took a quiet look round that house o' theirs, some daywhen they ain't there. "

How very nearly this desirable object had been achieved on theprevious evening I thought it unnecessary to mention, but I was hugelyrelieved to learn that so far there was no suspicion as to who wasreally responsible for the damage to the creek. Apart from theinconvenience which it would have entailed, to be arrested for blowingup a bit of mud in a Thames backwater would have been a sad come-downfor a convicted murderer!

As soon as he had provided me with some breakfast, Mr. Gow departedfor Tilbury with my letter to McMurtrie in his pocket. He was away fora couple of hours, returning with a copy of the _Daily Mail_ and theinformation that there were no letters for me at the post-office. 

I handed him over the _Betty_, with instructions not to desert heruntil he was relieved by either Tommy or Joyce or me, and then set offfor the hut by my usual route. It was less than thirty hours sinceI had left it, but so many interesting things had happened in theinterval it seemed more like three weeks. 

For any one entangled in such a variety of perils as I appeared to be, I spent a surprisingly peaceful day. Not a soul came near the place, and except for reading the _Mail_ and indulging in a certain amount ofhard thinking, I enjoyed the luxury of doing absolutely nothing. Afterthe exertion and excitements of the previous twenty-four hours, thislull was exactly what I needed. It gave me time to take stock of myposition in the light of Latimer's amazing revelations--a processwhich on the whole I found fairly satisfactory. If the likelihood ofproving my innocence still seemed a trifle remote, I had at leastpenetrated some of the mystery which surrounded Dr. McMurtrie and hisfriends, and more and more it was becoming obvious to me that thetwo problems were closely connected. Anyhow I turned into bed inan optimistic mood, and with the stimulating feeling that in allprobability I had a pleasantly eventful day in front of me. 

It certainly opened in the most promising fashion. I woke up at eight, and was making a light breakfast off a tin of sardines and someincredibly stale bread, when through the little window that looked outtowards the Tilbury road I suddenly spotted my youthful friend fromthe post-office approaching across the marsh. I opened the door, andhe came up with a respectful grin of recognition. 

"Letter for you, sir, " he observed, "come this morning, sir. "

He handed me an envelope addressed in Joyce's writing, and stood bywhile I read it, thoughtfully scratching his head with the peak ofhis cap. It was only a short note, but beautifully characteristic ofJoyce. 

"MY OWN NEIL, --

"I'm coming down to see you tomorrow afternoon. I've got severalthings to tell you, but the chief reason is because I want to kissyou and be kissed by you. Everything else seems rather unimportantcompared with that. 

"JOYCE. "

"Any answer, sir?" inquired the boy, when he saw I had finishedreading. 

"Yes, Charles, " I said; "there is an answer, but I'm afraid I can'tsend it by post. Wait a minute, though, " I added, as he began to puton his cap, "I want you to send off a wire for me if you will. It willtake a minute or two to write. "

I went into the hut, and hastily scribbled a telegram to Latimer, telling him that I had written to McMurtrie, but that otherwise therewas nothing to report. I copied this out carefully in the simplecypher we had agreed on, and handed it to the boy, together with fiveshillings. 

"You can keep the change, " I said, "and buy fireworks with it. I'vebeen too busy to make any yet. "

He gurgled out some expressions of gratitude and took his departure, while I renewed my attack upon the sardines and bread. 

Fortified by this simple cheer, I devoted the remainder of the morningto tidying up my shed. I felt that I was living in such uncertaintimes that it would be just as well to remove all possible traces ofthe work I had been engaged on, and by midday the place looked almostas tidy as when I had first entered it. 

I then treated myself to a cigar and began to keep a look-out forJoyce. She had not said in her letter what time she would arrive, butI knew that there were a couple of trains early in the afternoon, andI remembered that I had told her to come straight to the hut. 

It must have been getting on for two when I suddenly caught sight ofa motor car with a solitary occupant coming quickly along the Tilburyroad. It pulled up as it reached the straggling plantation oppositethe hut, and a minute later a girl appeared from between the trees, and started to walk towards me across the marsh. 

I was a little surprised, for I didn't know that Joyce included motordriving amongst her other accomplishments, and she had certainly nevermentioned to me that there was any chance of her coming down in acar. Then, a moment later, the truth suddenly hit me with paralysingabruptness. It was not Joyce at all; it was Sonia. 

I don't know why the discovery should have given me such a shock, forin a way I had been expecting her to turn up any time. Still a shockit undoubtedly did give me, and for a second or so I stood therestaring stupidly at her like a man who has suddenly lost the use ofhis limbs. Then, pulling myself together, I turned away from thewindow and strode to the door. 

She came up to me swiftly and eagerly, moving with that strange lissomgrace that always reminded me of some untamed animal. Her hurried walkacross the marsh had brought a faint tinge of colour into the usualivory clearness of her skin, and her dark eyes were alive withexcitement. 

I held out my hands to welcome her. "I was beginning to think you'dforgotten the address, Sonia, " I said. 

With that curious little deep laugh of hers she pulled my arms roundher, and for several seconds we remained standing in this friendlyif a trifle informal attitude. Then, perceiving no reasonablealternative, I bent down and kissed her. 

"Ah!" she whispered. "At last! At last!"

Deserted as the marsh was, it seemed rather public for this type ofdialogue, so drawing her inside the hut I closed the door. 

She looked round at everything with rapid, eager interest. "I haveheard all about the powder, " she said. "It's quite true, isn't it? Youhave done what you hoped to do?"

I nodded. "I've blown up about twenty yards of Canvey Island with afew ounces of it, " I said. "That seems good enough for a start. "

She laughed again with a sort of fierce satisfaction. "You have donesomething more than that. You have given me just the power I needed tohelp you. " She came up and with a quick impulsive gesture laid her twohands on my arm. "Neil, Neil, my lover! In a few hours from now youcan have everything you want in the world. Everything, Neil--money, freedom, love--" She broke off, panting slightly with her ownvehemence, and then drawing my face down to hers, kissed me again onthe lips. 

I suppose I ought to have felt rather ashamed of myself, but I thinkI was too interested in what she was going to say to worry much aboutanything else. 

"Tell me, Sonia, " I said. "What am I to do? Can I trust your fatherand McMurtrie?"

She let go my arm, and stepping back sat down on the edge of the smalltable which I had been using as a writing-desk. 

"Trust them!" she repeated half scornfully. "Yes, you can trust themif you want to go on being cheated and robbed. Can't you see--can'tyou guess the way they have been lying to you?"

"Of course I can, " I said coolly; "but when one's between the Deviland Dartmoor, I prefer the Devil every time. I don't enjoy beingcheated, but it's much more pleasant than being starved or flogged. "

She leaned forward, holding the edge of the table with her hands. "There's no need for either. As I've told you, in a few hours fromnow we can be away from England with money enough to last us for ourlives. Do you know what your invention is worth? Do you know what usethey mean to make of it?"

"I imagine they hope to sell it, " I answered. "It wouldn't bedifficult to find a customer. "

"Difficult!" She lowered her voice to a quick eager whisper. "Theyhave got a customer. The best customer in Europe. A customer that willpay anything in the world for such a secret as yours. "

I gazed at her with a carefully assumed expression of amazement anddawning intelligence. 

"Good Lord, Sonia!" I said slowly; "do you mean--?"

She made an impatient movement with her hands. "Listen! I am going totell you everything. What's the good of you and I beating aboutthe bush?" She paused. "We are spies, " she said quite simply, "professional spies. Of course it sounds absurd and impossible toyou--an Englishman--but all the same it's the truth. You don't knowwhat sort of man Dr. McMurtrie is. "

"I appear to be learning, " I observed. 

"He has been a friend of my father's for years. They were in Russiatogether at one time--and then Paris, Vienna--oh, everywhere. It hasalways been the same; in each country they have found out things thatother Governments have been willing to pay for. At least, the doctorhas. The rest of us, my father, myself, Hoffman"--she shrugged hershoulders--"we are his puppets, his tools. Everything we have done hasbeen planned and arranged by him. "

There was a short silence. 

"How long have you been here?" I asked. "What brought you to England?"

"We have been here just over three years, " she answered slowly. "Therewas a man in London that Dr. McMurtrie and my father wanted to find. Eight years ago he betrayed them in St. Petersburg. "

A sudden idea--so wild as to be almost incredible--flashed into mymind. 

I moistened my lips. "Who was he?" I asked steadily. 

She shook her head. "I don't know his name. I only know that he isdead. I think Dr. McMurtrie would kill any one who betrayed him--if hecould. "

I crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. I feltstrangely excited. 

"And after that, " I said quietly, "I suppose the doctor thought hemight as well stop here and do a little business?"

"I think it was suggested to him from Berlin. He had sent them allsorts of information when we were in Paris, and, of course, as thingsare now, they were still more anxious to get hold of anything aboutthe English army or navy. " She paused. "What they specially wantedwere the plans of the Lyndon-Marwood torpedo. "

"Yes, " I said. "I dare say they did. A lot of people have wanted them, but unfortunately they're not for sale. "

Sonia laughed softly. "The exact price we paid for them, " she said, "was twelve thousand pounds. "

I sat up with a jerk. This time my surprise was utterly genuine. 

"You bought them!" I said incredulously. "Bought them from some one inthe Admiralty?"

Again Sonia shook her head. "Don't you remember what you read in the_Daily Mail_ about the robbery at your offices in Victoria Street?"

I stared at her for a second, and then suddenly the real truth dawnedon me. 

"So George sold them to you?" I said. 

She nodded. "Ever since you went to prison the business has been goingto pieces. He wanted money badly--very badly indeed. Dr. McMurtriefound this out. He found out too that there was a copy of the plansin the office, and--well, you can guess the rest. The burglary, ofcourse, was arranged between them. It was meant to cover your cousinin case the Government found out that the Germans had got hold of theplans. "

"And have they found out?" I asked. 

Again Sonia shrugged her shoulders. "I can't say. The doctor and myfather never tell me anything that they can keep to themselves. Mostof what I know I have picked up from listening to them and puttingthings together in my own head afterwards. I am useful to them, and toa certain point they trust me; but only so far. They know I hate themboth. "

She made the statement with a detached bitterness that spoke volumesfor its sincerity. 

I felt too that she was telling me the truth about George. A man whocould lie as he did at the trial was quite capable of betraying hiscountry or anything else. Still, the infernal impudence and treacheryof his selling my beautiful torpedo to the Germans filled me with afurious anger such as I had not felt since I crouched, dripping andhunted, in the Walkham woods. 

I looked up at Sonia, who was leaning forward and watching me withthose curious half-sullen, half-passionate eyes of hers. 

"Why did George tell those lies about me at the trial?" I asked. 

"I don't know for certain; I think he wanted to get rid of you, sothat he could steal your invention. Of course he saw how valuable itwas. You had told him about the notes, and I think he felt that ifyou were safely out of the way he would be able to make use of themhimself. "

"He must have been painfully disappointed, " I said. "They were alljotted down in a private cypher. No one else could possibly haveunderstood them. "

She nodded. "I know. He offered to sell them to us. He suggested thatthe Germans might be willing to pay a good sum down for them on thechance of being able to make them out. "

Angry as I was, I couldn't help laughing. It was so exactly likeGeorge to try and make the best of a bad speculation. 

"I can hardly see the doctor doing business on those lines, " I said. 

"It was too late in any case, " she answered calmly. "Just after hemade the offer you escaped from prison. " There was another pause. "Andwhat were you all doing down in that God-forsaken part of the world?"I demanded. 

The question was a little superfluous as far as I was concerned, but Ifelt that Sonia would be expecting it. 

"Oh, we weren't there for pleasure, " she said curtly. "We wanted to benear Devonport, and at the same time we wanted a place that was quitequiet and out-of-the-way. Hoffman found the house for us, and we tookit furnished for six months. "

"It was an extraordinary stroke of luck, " I said, "that I should havecome blundering in as I did. "

Sonia laughed venomously. "It was the sort of thing that would happento the doctor. The Devil looks after his friends. "

"As a matter of fact, " I objected, "I was thinking more of myself. "

Sonia took no notice of my interruption. "Why, it meant everythingto him, " she went on eagerly. "It practically gave him the power todictate his own terms to the Germans. You see, he knew something abouttheir plans. He knew--at least he could guess--that the moment warwas declared they meant to make a surprise attack on all the bigdockyards--just like the Japs did at Port Arthur. Well, think of thedifference an explosive as powerful as yours would make! Why, it wouldput England absolutely at their mercy. They could blow up Portsmouth, Sheerness, and Devonport before any one really knew that the war hadstarted. "

She spoke rapidly, almost feverishly, leaning forward and gripping theedge of the table, till the skin showed white on her knuckles. I thinkI was equally excited, but I tried not to show it. 

"Yes, " I said; "it sounds a promising notion. "

"Promising!" she echoed. "Well, it was promising enough for theGermans to offer us anything we wanted the moment we could give themthe secret. Now perhaps you can understand why we were so hospitableand obliging to you. "

"And you believe McMurtrie never meant to keep his word to me?" Iasked. 

She laughed again scornfully. "If you knew him as well as I do, youwouldn't need to ask that. He would simply have disappeared with themoney and left you to rot or starve. "

I took out my case, and having given Sonia a cigarette, lit onemyself. 

"It's an unpleasant choice, " I said, "but I gather there's a possiblealternative. "

She lighted her own cigarette and threw away the match. Her dark eyeswere alight with excitement. 

"Listen, " she said. "All the Germans want is the secret. Do yousuppose they care in the least whom they get it from? You have onlygot to prove to them that you can do what you say, and they will payyou the money just as readily as they would the doctor. "

There was a magnificent simplicity about the idea that for a momentalmost took my breath away. 

"How could I get in touch with them?" I asked. 

She leaned forward again, and lowered her voice almost to a whisper. 

"I can take you now--now right away--to the two men who are in chargeof the whole business. I know that they have an absolutely free handto make the best terms they can. "

"Who are they?" I demanded, with an eagerness I made no attempt tohide. 

"Their names are Seeker and von Brünig, and they're living in a smallbungalow on Sheppey. They are supposed to be artists. As a matter offact, von Brünig is a captain in the Germany Navy. I don't know whothe other man is; I think he has been sent over specially about thepowder. "

Her statement fitted in so exactly with what I had already found outfrom Latimer and Gow, that I hadn't the remotest doubt she was tellingme the literal truth. Of its importance--its vital importance toEngland--there could be no question. I felt my heart beating quicklywith excitement, but the obvious necessity for fixing on some schemeof immediate action kept my brain cool and clear. The first thing wasto gain a moment or two to think in. 

"You realize what all this means, Sonia?" I said. "You're quiteprepared to throw over your father and McMurtrie? You know how thedoctor deals with people who betray him--when he gets the chance?"

"I am not afraid of them, " she answered defiantly. "They are nothingto me; I hate them both--and Hoffman too. It's you I want. You are theonly man I ever have wanted. " She paused, and I saw her breast risingand falling rapidly with the stress of her emotion. "We will go awaytogether--somewhere the other side of the world--America, BuenosAyres--oh, what does it matter where?--there are plenty of places!What does anything matter so long as we love each other!"

She half rose to her feet, but I jumped up first. 

"One moment, Sonia, " I said. "Let me think. "

Thrusting my hands in my pockets, I strode across the room, andpulling up in front of the little window, stared out across the marsh. As I did so, I felt as if some one had suddenly placed a large handfulof crushed ice inside my waistcoat. About two hundred yards away, strolling cheerfully and unconcernedly towards the hut, was thecharming but painfully inopportune figure of Joyce. 

It was a most unpleasant second. In my excitement at listening toSonia's revelations, I had clean forgotten for the time that Joyce wascoming, and now it was too late for the recollection to be of muchpractical use. Except for an earthquake, or the sudden arrival of theend of the world, nothing could stop her from reaching the hut inanother five minutes. 

I stood quite still, racking my brains as to what was the best thingto do. It was no use trying to signal to her from the window, forSonia would be certain to see me; while if I made some excuse forgoing outside, Joyce would probably call out to me before I had timeto warn her. My only hope seemed to lie in the chance of her hearingus talking as she came up to the door, in which case she would know atonce that there was some one there and go straight on to the _Betty_. 

I had just reached this conclusion when a queer sound behind me mademe spin round as if I had been struck. Sonia, who had risen to herfeet, was standing and facing me; her whole attitude suggestive ofa highly-annoyed tigress. I don't think I have ever seen such amalevolent expression on any human being's face in my life. For aninstance we stood staring at each other without speaking, and thenquite suddenly I realized what was the matter. 

Clutched tight in her right hand was a letter--a letter which Irecognized immediately as the one I had received from Joyce thatmorning. Like a fool I must have left it lying on the desk, and whileI was looking out of the window she had evidently picked it up andread it. 

I hadn't much time, however, for self-reproaches. 

"So, you have been lying to me all through, " she broke out bitterly. "This girl is your mistress; and all the time you have simply beenusing me to help yourself. Oh, I see it all now. I see why you were soanxious to come to London. While I have been working and scheming foryou, you and she ... " Her voice failed from very fury, and tearing theletter in pieces, she flung them on the ground at my feet. 

I suppose I attempted some sort of reply, for she broke out again moresavagely than ever. 

"She _is_ your mistress! Do you dare to deny it, with that letterstaring me in the face? Coming down to 'kiss you and be kissed byyou, ' is she? Well, she's used to that, at all events!" Her voicechoked again, and with her hands clenched she made a quick stepforward in my direction. 

Then quite suddenly I saw her whole expression change. The anger inher eyes gave place to a gleam of recognition, and the next moment herlips parted in a peculiarly malicious smile. She was looking past methrough the open window. 

"Ah!" she said. "So that's why you were standing there! You didn'texpect me to be here when she arrived, did you?" With a mocking laughshe turned to the doorway. "Never mind, " she added viciously: "youwill be able to introduce us. "

Even if I had tried to prevent her it would have been too late. With aswift movement she flung back the door, and stepped forward across thethreshold. 

Joyce was standing about fifteen yards away, facing the hut. She hadevidently just heard the sound of Sonia's voice, and had pulled upabruptly, as I expected she would. Directly the door opened, sheturned as if to continue her walk. 

Sonia laughed again. "Please don't go away, " she said. 

There was a moment's pause, and then I too advanced to the door. I sawthat there was nothing else for it except the truth. 

"Joyce, " I said, "this is Sonia. She has just read your letter, whichI left lying on the desk. "

It must have been a bewildering situation even to such a quick-wittedperson as Joyce, but all the same one would never have guessed thefact from her manner. For perhaps a second she stood still, lookingfrom one to the other of us; then, with that sudden engaging smile ofhers, she came forward and held out her hand to Sonia. 

"I am so glad to meet you, " she said simply. "Neil has told me howgood you have been to him. "

Sonia remained quite motionless. She had drawn herself up to her fullheight, and she stared at Joyce with a cool hatred she made no attemptto conceal. 

"Yes, " she said; "I have no doubt he told you that. He will have a lotmore to tell you as soon as I've gone. You will have plenty to talkabout when you're not kissing. " With a low, cruel little laugh shestepped forward. "Make the most of him while you've got him, " sheadded. "It won't be for long. "

As the last word left her lips, she suddenly raised the glove she washolding in her hand, and struck Joyce fiercely across the face. 

In one stride I was up with them--God knows what I meant to do--but, thrusting out her arm, Joyce motioned me back. 

"It's all right, Neil dear, " she said. "I should have done exactly thesame. "

For a moment we all three remained just as we were, and then without aword Sonia turned on her heel and walked off rapidly in the directionof the Tilbury road. 

CHAPTER XXII

THE POLICE TAKE ACTION

"What have we done, Neil?"

Joyce put the question with a calmness that was truly delightful. 

"It seems to me, " I said, "that we've torn it badly. " Then, with alast look at Sonia's retreating figure, I added: "Come inside, andI'll try to explain. "

We entered the hut, where the floor was still strewn with thefragments of Joyce's letter. She seated herself on the edge of the bedand waited patiently while I took a couple of turns up and down theroom. 

"Joyce, " I said, "I deserve kicking. I'm not sure I haven't messed upthe whole business. "

"Tell me, " she said quietly. "I know about Latimer already; I sawTommy at the flat this morning. "

"Well, that simplifies things, " I said; and without wasting anyfurther time in self-reproaches, I plunged straight into the story ofSonia's surprise visit and its abrupt and spirited ending. 

"How I could have been such an ass I don't know, " I finished ruefully. "I must have put the letter down on the table after I'd done readingit, and there I suppose it was sitting the whole time. "

Joyce, who had listened to me without interrupting, nodded her head. "It was just one of those things that had got to happen, " she saidphilosophically. "It's no good worrying now. The thing is, what are weto do about it?"

I thought for a moment. 

"We must let Latimer know at once, " I said. "I'll write out what Soniatold me--just the main facts, and you must take the letter straight upto London, and find him as soon as you can. I shall stop here, as heasked me to. "

Joyce's face looked a little troubled. 

"What do you think Sonia will do?" she asked. 

"Goodness knows!" I said. "She seemed to have some particularlyunpleasant intention at the back of her mind; but I don't quite seewhat it is. "

"She won't care what she does, " said Joyce. "I know exactly how shefeels. Suppose she were to go to the police?"

"She could hardly do that, " I objected. "She'd be incriminatingherself. "

"But suppose she does, " persisted Joyce. "Suppose they come and arrestyou here; Latimer won't be able to help you then. "

"I can't go back now, Joyce, " I said seriously. "I can't get out ofit just because it might be dangerous to me. After all, it's Englandthey're scheming against. "

"And what if it is?" she returned indignantly. "A nice way England'streated you!"

I came over to the bed and took her hands in mine. 

"Come, Joyce, " I said, "you don't really mean that. I wantencouraging, not depressing. All my natural instincts are to lookafter myself and let England go to the devil. "

Half laughing and half crying, she jumped up and threw her arms roundme. 

"No, no, no, " she said. "I want you to do the right thing always; butoh, Neil, I'm so frightened of losing you. I just can't do without younow. "

"Well, " I said, "I'm hanged if I can do without you, so we're in thesame boat. "

I kissed her twice, and then, sitting down at the table, made a briefsummary of what I had learned from Sonia. Latimer so far knew nothingof my relations with the latter, so I was compelled to explain howbadly I had behaved in order to account for her visit. I then gavehim a short description of the painful way in which the interview hadterminated, and added the information that I was waiting on at the hutin the expectation of a visit from McMurtrie. 

"You can explain things more fully to him, Joyce, " I said. "It's nogood trying to keep anything back now; we've gone too far. The greatthing is to get that letter to him as soon as you possibly can. Tommywill probably know where he is. "

She nodded. "I shall find him all right. " She slipped the envelopeinside her dress, and glanced at the watch she was wearing on herwrist. "There are several things I wanted to tell you, " she added, "but they none of them matter for the moment. If I go at once, I canjust catch the three-thirty. "

"I'll come as far as the road with you, " I said. "I daren't leave thehut for long, in case McMurtrie turns up. "

We went outside and had a good look round. Sonia had long sincedisappeared, and the place wore its usual aspect of utter desolation. I took the precaution of locking the door, however, and then at asharp pace we set off together across the marsh. 

"Tell me about George, " I said. "How are you getting on with theelopement plan?"

Joyce smiled. "I think George is growing a little impatient. He wantsto get away as soon as possible. "

"Yes, " I said; "I have no doubt the Mediterranean sounds attractiveto him. There's a pretty stiff penalty attached to selling Governmentsecrets if you happen to be found out. Besides, I expect he's stillworrying a lot about me. "

Joyce nodded. "He told me last night that I was the only thing thatwas keeping him in London. You see I can't quite make up my mindwhether I love him well enough to come away. "

"That's unfortunate for George, " I said. "Latimer will probably act atonce as soon as he gets that letter, and directly he does I mean to gostraight to Cheyne Walk, unless I'm dead or in prison. "

Joyce took my arm. "Neil, " she said, "whatever happens you mustn't bearrested. If you think there's any chance of it you must go on boardthe _Betty_ and take her somewhere down the river. You can let me knowat the flat where you are. Promise me you will, Neil. You see if thepolice once got hold of you, even Latimer mightn't be able to doanything. "

For a moment I hesitated. So far I had told Joyce nothing of the wildsuspicion about Marks's identity which Sonia's revelations had putinto my head. I didn't want to rouse hopes in her which might turn outquite baseless. Besides, even if I were really on the right track, andMarks was the man who had betrayed the gang in St. Petersburg, it wasquite another thing to prove that they were responsible for splittinghis skull. I had nothing to support the idea beyond Joyce's bareword that she had seen McMurtrie in the flat on the afternoon of themurder. Sonia's testimony might have been useful, but after today Icould hardly picture her in the witness-box giving evidence on mybehalf. 

On the whole, therefore, I thought it best for the present to keepthe matter to myself. I promised, however, that in the event of myobserving anything in the nature of a policeman stealthily approachingthe hut I would at once seek sanctuary on the _Betty_--an assurancewhich might have sounded worthless to some people, but certainlyseemed to comfort Joyce. 

Anyhow she said good-bye to me with her usual cheerfulness and pluck, and we parted after a last affectionate kiss in full view of the openmarsh. Then I returned to the hut suffering from that novel and highlyunpleasant sense of loneliness that Joyce's departures had begun toawake in me. 

I don't think there is anything much more trying to one's nerves thanhaving to sit and wait for some critical event which may happen at anymoment. I have had a good deal of practice at waiting in my life, butI never remember the hours dragging so desperately slowly as they didthe remainder of that afternoon. 

A dozen times I went over what Latimer and Sonia had told me, puttingtogether their different stories in my mind and trying to think ifthere was any point I had overlooked. I could see none. The mere wayin which they had corroborated each other was enough to make me feelsure that they were both speaking the truth. Besides, everything thathad happened from the moment I had crept in through the kitchen windowat McMurtrie's house pointed to the same conclusion. 

I may appear stupid not to have seen through the doctor earlier, butafter all a gang of professional spies is hardly the sort of thing oneexpects to run up against in a Devonshire village. A few years ago, indeed, I should have laughed at the idea of their existence anywhereoutside the pages of a shilling shocker, but my three years inDartmoor had led me to take a rather more generous view of what lifecan throw up in the way of scoundrels. 

Whether they had killed Marks or not, I had little doubt now that theywere wholly responsible for the attempt to murder Latimer. Though Ihad good evidence that when it came to the point the two gentlemenon Sheppey didn't stick at trifles, I could hardly fancy a couple ofGerman Naval officers deliberately countenancing such methods. If theyhad, they certainly deserved the worst fate that even Mr. Gow couldwish them. 

Somehow or other my private interest in the affair seemed to have beentemporarily forced into the background. I felt I was probably doingthe best thing I could for myself in throwing in my lot with Latimer, but in any case his enthusiasm had got hold of me, and at all risks Iwas determined to stick to my side of the bargain. I knew that in herheart Joyce would have hated me to do otherwise. 

My chief danger, as she had instantly seen, was the chance of Soniabetraying me to the police. The latter, who knew nothing of the part Iwas playing as a sort of unpaid bottle-washer to the SecretService, would at once jump at the chance of arresting an escapedconvict--especially such a well-advertised one as myself. Howeverimprobable Sonia's story might sound, they would at least be certainto take the trouble to investigate it. 

On the other hand, of course Sonia might not go to the police at all, and even if she did, it was quite possible that Latimer would strikefirst and so give me the chance of clearing out. 

Anyhow, forewarned as I was, I felt it would be an uncommonly brightpoliceman who succeeded in arresting me. In the day-time, so long as Ikept a good look out, anything like a surprise attack was impossible, and after that night I made up my mind that I would sleep on the_Betty_. The only thing was, I should most certainly have to deprivemyself of the luxury of a skipper. Useful as he was at taking lettersinto Tilbury, it would be decidedly embarrassing to have him on boardif I happened to arrive in a hurry on the beach with two perspiringdetectives in hot pursuit. 

At six o'clock, as there was still no sign of a visitor, I decided towalk over to the _Betty_ and tell Mr. Gow that he could treat himselfto another holiday. It would only take me about half an hour, and incase McMurtrie turned up while I was away I could leave a message onthe door to the effect that I should be back before seven. 

I did this, pinning it up carefully with a drawing-tack and then aftermaking sure that everything was secure I started off for the creek. 

I found Mr. Gow in his usual restful attitude, his head and shoulderssticking up out of the fo'c's'le hatch, and a large pipe protrudingfrom his mouth. With the instincts of a true retainer he promptlyremoved the latter as soon as he heard my hail, and hoisting himselfup on deck put off in the dinghy. 

"I'm not coming aboard, " I said. "I only walked over to tell you thatyou can have a couple of days ashore. We shan't be using the boat tillSaturday or Sunday. "

He thanked me and touched his cap (I could see he was beginning tothink it was rather a soft job he had stumbled into), and then, withthe air of some one breaking unpleasant tidings, he added: "Do youhappen to know, sir, as we're clean out o' petrol?"

I didn't happen to know it, but under the circumstances it wasinformation I was glad to acquire. 

"Can you get me some--soon?" I asked. 

He nodded. "I'll bring along a couple o' cans in the mornin', sir, andleave 'em aboard. "

"Any news?" I asked. 

"Well, sir, I seed the Dutchmen's launch goin' down thisarternoon--travellin' proper they was too, same as when they swampedme. I suppose you ain't bin able to do nothin' about that matter notyet, sir?"

"I'm looking into it, Mr. Gow, " I said. "I have a friend helping me, and between us I think we shall be able to get some satisfaction outof them. I shall probably have more to tell you on Saturday. "

With this answer he seemed quite content. "Well, I'll just run backaboard and get my bag, sir, " he observed. "I reckon I'd better pullthe dinghy up on top o' the bank when I done with her. If any o' themTilbury folk should 'appen to come along they won't see 'er then--notamong the long grass. "

It was a sensible suggestion on the face of it, but in view of thefact that I might find it necessary to embark rather abruptly, Icouldn't afford to risk any unnecessary delays. 

"Don't bother about that tonight, Gow, " I said. "Just drag her abovehigh-water mark. It's quite possible I may be using her in themorning. "

Having thus provided for my retreat in the case of an emergency, Ireturned to the hut by the usual route along the sea-front. I took theprecaution of putting up my head and inspecting the place carefullybefore climbing over the sea-wall, but I might as well have savedmyself the trouble. The marsh was quite deserted, and when I reachedthe hut I found my little notice still pinned to the door, and notrace of any one having paid me a visit in my absence. 

I remained in the same state of splendid isolation for the rest of theevening. There was no difficulty about keeping watch, for as soon asthe sun went down a large obliging moon appeared in the sky, lightingup the marsh and the Tilbury road almost as clearly as if it wereday-time. I could have seen a rabbit a hundred yards off, let aloneanything as big and obvious as a Scotland Yard detective. 

At about one in the morning I turned in for a couple of hours' rest. I felt that if Sonia had gone straight to the authorities they wouldhave acted before this, while if she was sleeping on her wrath therewas no reason I shouldn't do the same. I had given up any expectationof McMurtrie until the next morning. 

I woke at half-past three, and resumed my vigil in the pure cooltwilight of early dawn. I watched the sun rise over the river, andgradually climb up into a sky of pale blue and lemon that gave promiseof another radiantly fine day. There was scarcely a breath of windstirring, and everything was so deliciously quiet and peaceful that italmost seemed as if the events of the last three years were merely thememory of some particularly vivid nightmare. 

"Almost, " I say, for as a matter of fact I was never for a momentunder any such pleasant delusion. If I had been, I should have hadan early awakening, for at eight o'clock, just as I was thinking ofrouting out something in the nature of breakfast, I saw a little blackdot advancing along the Tilbury road, which soon resolved itself intothe figure of my faithful Charles. 

He struck off across the marsh and came up to the hut, where I wasstanding at the door waiting for him. 

"Two telegrams and a letter for you, sir, " he said, producing themfrom his bag. "They came this morning, sir. "

With an assumption of leisurely indifference that I was very far fromfeeling, I took them out of his hand. The letter was addressed inMcMurtrie's writing, but I put it aside for a moment in favour of thetwo wires. The first was from Joyce. 

"Saw L. Late yesterday evening. He will act today. Agrees with mysuggestion about the _Betty_ if necessary. J. "

I thrust it into my pocket and opened the other. 

"A copper come last nite and ask for you. He see Misses O. "

For an instant I stared at this cryptic message in bewilderment; thensuddenly the recollection of my final instructions to Gertie 'Ugginsrushed into my mind. 

So Sonia _had_ gone to the police, or had at least contrived to sendthem a message which served the same purpose. Their visit to EdithTerrace was probably explained by the fact that she had given themboth addresses so as better to establish the truth of her story. Anyhow the murder was out, and with a new and not unpleasant thrillof excitement I crushed up Gertie's wire in my hand and tore openMcMurtrie's letter. 

"DEAR MR. NICHOLSON, "I have been away on business and have only just received your letter, otherwise I should have come to see you this afternoon. In the firstplace allow me to congratulate you most heartily on your success, ofwhich personally I was never in any doubt. 

"For the moment I have left the Hotel Russell, and am staying withsome friends in Sheppey. I shall run up the river in their launchearly tomorrow morning, as I believe there is a small creek close tothe hut where we can put in. 

"Please have a specimen of the powder ready, and if it is possible Ishould like you to arrange for an actual demonstration, as I shallhave a friend with me who is already considerably interested in ourlittle company, and would be prepared to put up further capital ifconvinced of the merits of your invention. 

"You can expect us about high water, between half-past nine and ten. 

"Your sincere friend, "L. J. McMURTRIE. "

As I read the signature McMurtrie's smiling mask-like face seemedsuddenly to rise up in front of me, and all my old instincts ofdistrust and repulsion came to keep it company. So he was at thebungalow, and in little over an hour he would be here--he and themysterious friend who was "already considerably interested inour little company. " I smiled grimly at the phrase; it was socharacteristic of the doctor; though when he wrote it he could littlehave guessed how thoroughly I should be able to appreciate it. 

He was also equally ignorant of the complications introduced intothe affair by Sonia. Unless I had been altogether misled by Gertie'smessage, it was probable that the police were even now on their way toarrest me, just as McMurtrie's launch was most likely setting out fromthe little creek under the bungalow. There seemed every prospect of myhaving a busy and interesting morning. 

At this point in my reflections I looked up, and found Charles eyeingme with an air of respectful patience. I took some money out of mypocket, and selecting a ten-shilling piece placed it in his grubby butnot unwilling palm. 

"You are a most useful boy, Charles, " I said, "and you can keep thechange as usual. "

He pocketed the coin with a gratified stammer. 

"You ain't 'ad time to make no fireworks yourself, sir?" he hazarded, after a short pause. 

"Not yet, " I replied; "but it looks as if I should today. "

He brightened up still further at the news, and observing that hehoped there would be some letters to bring the next morning departedon his return journey. 

I went back into the hut and shut the door. Now that matters wereso rapidly approaching a climax, I felt curiously cheerful andlight-hearted. I suppose it was a reaction from the strain andhard work of the previous week, but anyhow the thought that in allprobability the police were hard on my track didn't seem to worry mein the least. The only point was whether they would reach the hutbefore McMurtrie did. I hoped not, for I was looking forward to aninterview with the doctor, but it certainly seemed as well to takeevery precaution. 

I started by unearthing the box of powder from outside, and filling upmy flask from it. Then, when I had covered it over again, I collectedall the papers which I had not burned on the previous day, and storedthem away in my inside pockets. Finally I opened a tinned tongue, andaided by the dry remains of my last loaf, made a healthy if not veryexciting breakfast. I never believe in conducting violent exertions onan empty tummy. 

All this time, I need hardly say, I was keeping an uncommonly sharplook-out over the marsh. The most likely way in which any one whodidn't wish to be seen would attempt to approach the hut was along theTilbury road, and it was towards the last clump of trees, behind whichSonia had left her car the previous day, that I directed my chiefattention. 

Three-quarters of an hour passed, and I was just beginning to thinkthat McMurtrie would be the winner after all, when I suddenly caughtsight of something dark slinking across the exposed part of the roadbeyond the plantation. Standing very still, I watched carefully fromthe window. I have excellent eyesight, and I soon made out that therewere three separate figures all stooping low and moving with extremecaution towards the shelter of the trees. 

A sudden and irresistible desire to laugh seized hold of me; therewas something so intensely funny about the strategic pains they weretaking, when all the while they might just as well have advancedboldly across the open marsh. Still it was hardly the time to lingerover the comic side of the affair, so retiring from the window, Ithrew a last quick glance round the hut to make quite sure that I hadleft nothing I wanted behind. Then walking to the door I opened it andstepped quietly outside. 

I decided that it was impossible to reach the sea-wall without beingseen, so I made no attempt to do so. I just set off in the directionof the creek, strolling along in the easy, unhurried fashion of a mantaking a morning constitutional. 

I had not gone more than ten yards, when from the corner of my eye Isaw three figures break simultaneously out of the plantation. They nolonger made any pretence about their purpose. One of them cut straightdown towards the hut, a second came running directly after me, whilethe third started off as rapidly as possible along the road, so as tohead me off if I attempted to escape inland. 

Any further strategy on my part appeared to be out of place. I graspedthe position in one hurried glance, and then, buttoning my coat andramming down my cap, openly and frankly took to my heels. I heard thegentlemen behind shout out something which sounded like a request thatI should stop, but I was too occupied to pay much attention. The marshwas infested with small drains, and one had to keep one's eyes gluedon the ground immediately ahead to avoid coming an unholy purler. Thatwas the only thing I was afraid of, as I was in excellent condition, and I have always been a very fair runner. 

When I had covered about a couple of hundred yards I looked back overmy shoulder. I expected to find that I had widened the gap, but to mydismay I discovered that my immediate pursuer had distinctly gained onme. I could just see that he was a tall, active-looking fellow in apoliceman's uniform, with a long raking stride that was carrying himover the ground in the most unpleasant fashion. Unless he fell over adrain and broke his silly neck it seemed highly probable that he wouldarrive at the creek almost as soon as I did. 

As I ran I prayed fervently in my heart that Mr. Gow had followedmy instructions and left the dinghy within easy reach of the water. Otherwise I was in a tight place, for though I could swim to the_Betty_ all right, it would be impossible to take her out of the creekin a dead calm and with no petrol aboard for the engine. I should becompelled to stand at bay until a breeze got up, repelling boarderswith the boat-hook!

Just before I reached the sea-wall I looked round a second time. Mypursuer was now only about thirty yards distant, but it was evidentthat his efforts had begun to tell on him. He again shouted out somebreathless advice to the effect that it would be "best" for me tosurrender, but without waiting to argue the point I scrambled up thebank and cast a hurried, anxious glance round for the dinghy. 

Any doubts I might have had about Mr. Gow's trustworthiness wereinstantly dispelled. The boat was lying on the mud only a few yardsout of reach of the tide. With a gasp of thankfulness I leaped onto the saltings, and clearing the distance in about three strides, clutched hold of the gunwale and began to drag it towards the water. 

Just as I reached that desirable element the figure of my pursuerappeared above the bank. I gave a last savage wrench, but my footslipped in the treacherous mud, and I as nearly as possible stumbledto my knees. That final tug, however, had done the trick. The boat wasfloating, and with a wild effort I scrambled in, and seizing an oar, shoved off furiously from the shore. 

I was only just in time. Jumping from the sea-wall, the policemanfairly hurled himself across the intervening space, and without amoment's hesitation plunged into the creek after me. I shortened myoar, and as he made a grab for the stern I suddenly lunged forwardwith all the force I could command. The blade took him fair and squarein the wind, and with a loud observation that sounded like "Ouch!" hesat down abruptly in the water. Before he could recover himself I wasten yards from the shore, sculling vigorously for the centre of thestream. 

I made no attempt to reach the _Betty_. There was still a dead calm, and by going on board I should merely have been shutting myself up ina prison from which there was no escape. My best plan seemed to be tomake for the open river, when I might either pick up McMurtrie and hislaunch, or else row across to the opposite shore. 

I accordingly headed for the mouth of the creek, while my pursuer, whoby this time had sufficiently recovered to stagger to his feet, wadeddismally back to the shore. Here he was joined by his two companions, who had evidently been following the chase with praiseworthydetermination. 

For a moment I saw them all three consulting together, and then myfriend the policeman started hastily throwing off his clothes with theapparent intention of swimming across the river, while the other twocame running along the bank after me. They were both in plain clothes, but the unmistakable stamp of a Scotland Yard detective was clearlyimprinted on each of them. 

They soon caught me up, and hurrying on ahead reached the mouth of thecreek, while I was still some twenty yards short of it. I was justwondering what on earth they hoped to do, when, looking over myshoulder, I saw one of them scramble up the sea-wall, and begin toshout and wave his arms as if he had suddenly gone mad. 

A few savage pulls brought me up level, and then turning in my seat Idiscovered the cause of his excitement. Some way out in the stream wasa small coast-guard cutter with three men on board, two of whom wereat the oars. They had evidently grasped that there was somethingserious the matter, for they had brought their boat round and werealready heading in towards the shore. 

My position began to look a trifle unhealthy. I was out of practicefor sculling, and if the coast-guards chose to interfere it wasobviously only a question of a few minutes before they would succeedin rowing me down. For a moment I had some idea of going ashore onthe opposite bank, and again trusting to my heels. Then I saw that myfriend the policeman, who could apparently swim as well as he couldrun, was already half way across the creek, and would be on my tracklong before I could get the necessary start. On the whole it seemedbest to stick to the water, so digging in my sculls I pulled out intothe main stream. 

As I rounded the sea-wall I could hear the man who was standing ontop bawling out my name to the coast-guards, and hurling them franticinjunctions to cut me off. I cast one swift glance up and down theriver, and as I did so I nearly gave a shout of excitement. A coupleof hundred yards away, but coming up at a tremendous pace, was a largewhite petrol launch, which I recognized immediately as the one thathad swamped Mr. Gow. 

Whether the coast-guards saw her too I really can't say. I doubt ifthey did, for by this time they had evidently realized who I was, andtheir whole attention was fixed on preventing my escape. They wererowing towards me with tremendous energy, the officer in chargehalf standing up in the stern and encouraging them to still fiercerefforts. 

Putting every ounce I could into my stroke, I set off down stream. Itwas just a question as to whether I could clear them, and I doubt ifany winner of the Diamond Sculls could have shoved that dinghy alongmuch faster than I did for the next few seconds. Nearer and nearer wedrew to each other, and for one instant I thought that I had done thetrick. Then from the corner of my eye I saw the cutter fairly leapforward through the water, and the next moment, with a jolt thatalmost flung me out of the seat, she bumped alongside. 

Dropping his oar, one of the men leaned over and grabbed hold of mygunwale. 

"No go, Mister, " he observed breathlessly. "You got to come along withus. "

The words had hardly left his lips when with a wild shout the officerin charge leaped to his feet. 

"Look out, there!" he yelled. "Port, you fools! Port your helm!"

I swung round, and got a momentary glimpse of a sharp white prow witha great fan of water curling away each side of it, and then, before Icould move, there came a jarring, grinding crash, mixed with a fiercevolley of shouts and oaths. 

CHAPTER XXIII

IN THE NICK OF TIME

My impressions of what happened next are a trifle involved. Somethinghit me violently in the side, almost knocking me silly, while at thesame moment the boat seemed to disappear from beneath me, and I wasflying head first into the water. I struck out instinctively as Ifell, and came to the surface almost at once. I just remember ablurred vision of floating wreckage, with something white rising up infront of me. Then a rope came hurtling through the air, and caught mefull in the face. I clutched at it wildly, and the next thing I knew Iwas being dragged violently through the water and hauled in over theside of the launch. 

It was all over so quickly that for a moment I scarcely realized whathad happened. I just lay where I was, gasping for breath, and spittingout a large mouthful of the Thames which I had unintentionallyappropriated. Above the throbbing of the engine and the swish of thescrew I could still hear a confused medley of shouts and curses. 

With an effort I sat up and looked about me. We had already changedour course, and were swinging round in a half-circle, preparatory toheading back down stream. The smashed remains of the two boats werebobbing about behind us, and in the midst of them I could make out thefigures of the coast-guards, clinging affectionately to various bitsof wreckage. 

Besides myself, there were three other men in the launch. Dr. McMurtrie was sitting on the seat just opposite, pouring out thecontents of a flask into a small metal cup. Against the cabin doorleaned Savaroff, eyeing me with his usual expression of hostilemistrust. The third passenger was the man with the auburn beard, whomI had seen in the launch on the day I picked up Mr. Gow. He was busywith the tiller, and for the moment was paying scant attention to anyof us. 

McMurtrie got up with the cup in his hand and came across to where Iwas sitting. 

"Drink this, " he said. 

"This, " proved to be some excellent old brandy, which I tossed offwith no little gratitude. It was exactly what I wanted to pull metogether. 

"Are you hurt?" he asked. 

I felt myself carefully before replying. "I'm all right now, " I said. "I got rather a crack in the ribs, but I don't think anything's gone. "

"We seem to have arrived just in time to prevent your arrest, " hesaid quietly. "Perhaps you will be good enough to explain what hashappened? At present we are rather in the dark. "

He spoke with his usual suavity, but there was a veiled menace in hisvoice which it was impossible to overlook. Savaroff scowled at me moretruculently than ever. It was obvious that both of them were entirelyignorant of Sonia's part in the affair, and suspected me of someextraordinary bit of clumsiness. I prepared myself for some heavylying. 

"I know precious little more about it than you do, " I said coolly. "Iwas getting things ready for you this morning, when I happened to lookout of the window, and saw three men crawling towards the hut on theirhands and knees. As one of them was wearing a policeman's uniform, Ithought I had better cut and run. Well, I cut and ran. I made for thecreek because I thought you might be there. You weren't; but there wasa dinghy on the shore, which I suppose belonged to a small yachtthat was anchored out in the channel. Anyhow, I took the liberty ofborrowing it. I meant to row out into the river, and try to pick youup before they could get hold of a boat and follow me. If it hadn'tbeen for these infernal coast-guards, I'd have managed it all right. Idon't think they really had anything to do with the business, but theyjust happened to be passing, and of course when the police shouted tothem they cut in at once. " I paused. "And that's the whole story, " Ifinished, "as far as I know anything about it. "

They had all three listened to me with eager attention. Even the manwith the auburn beard had kept on looking away from his steering tofavour me with quick glances out of his hard blue eyes. I think I camethrough the combined scrutiny with some credit. 

McMurtrie was the first to break the ensuing silence. 

"Have you any idea how you have betrayed yourself? You can speak quitefreely. Our friend Mr. Von Brünig knows the position. "

I thought it best to take the offensive. "I haven't betrayed myself, "I said angrily. "Somebody must have done it for me. I've not left thehut since I came down except for an occasional breath of air. "

"But earlier--when you were in London?" he persisted. 

I shook my head. "I have been down here a week. You don't imagine thepolice would have waited as long as that. "

I knew I was putting them in a difficulty, for by this time theymust be all aware that Latimer was still on their track, and it wasobviously conceivable that my attempted arrest might be due in someway to my connection with them; anyhow I saw that even Savaroff wasbeginning to regard me a shade less suspiciously. 

"Have you brought any of the powder with you?" asked McMurtrie. 

It struck me instantly that if I said yes, I should be putting myselfabsolutely in their power. 

"I hadn't time to get any, " I answered regretfully. "I had buried itoutside the hut, and they came on me so suddenly there was no chanceof digging it up. Now I have once done it, however, I can make somemore very quickly. "

It was the flattest lie I have ever told; but I managed to get it offwith surprising ease. It is astonishing what rapid strides one canmake in the art of perjury with a very little practice. 

Savaroff gave a grunt of disappointment, and McMurtrie turned to vonBrünig, who was frowning thoughtfully, and made some almost inaudibleremark in German. The latter answered at some length, but he kept hisvoice so low that, with my rather sketchy knowledge of that unpleasantlanguage, it was impossible for me to overhear what he was saying. Besides, he evidently didn't intend me to, and I had no wish tospoil the good impression I had apparently made by any appearance ofeavesdropping. 

It seemed to me that my course lay pretty straight in front of me. Latimer had all the information now he was likely to get, and I knewfrom Joyce's wire that he intended to act immediately. In addition tothis, the running down of the cutter would be known to Scotland Yardas soon as ever the men who had been sent to arrest me could get to atelephone, and the river-police and coast-guards everywhere would bewarned to keep a sharp look-out for von Brünig's launch. In an hour ortwo at the most something was bound to happen, and the way in which Icould make myself most useful seemed to be in delaying the break-upand escape of the party as long as possible. If I had to be arrested, I was determined that the others should be roped in as well. 

I had just arrived at this point in my meditations when McMurtrie andvon Brünig came to an end of their muttered conversation. 

The former turned back to me. "You probably understand, Mr. Lyndon, that this unfortunate affair with the police alters our plansentirely. At present I am quite unable to see how they have found youout, unless you have betrayed yourself by some piece of unintentionalcarelessness. Anyhow, the fact remains that they know where you are, and that very probably they will be able to trace this launch. "

Savaroff nodded. "As likely as not we shall have a shot across ourbows when we get to Sheerness, " he growled. 

McMurtrie, as usual, took no notice of his interruption. "There isonly one thing to do, " he said. "Mr. Von Brünig, who, as I havealready told you, is interested in our syndicate, has offered to puthis country house in Germany at our service. We must cross over toHolland before the police have time to interfere. "

"Do you mean now, at once?" I asked, with a sudden inward feeling ofdismay. 

McMurtrie nodded. "We have to pick up a couple of friends at Sheppeyfirst. After that we can run straight across to The Hague. "

The proposal was so obviously sensible that, without arousing hissuspicion, I could see no way for the moment of raising any objection. The great thing was to keep the "syndicate" together, and to delay ourdeparture until Latimer had had time to scoop the lot of us. Couldanything provide him with a more favourable opportunity than thecollection of the whole crowd in that remote bungalow at Sheppey? Itwas surely there if anywhere he would strike first, and I hoped, very feelingly, that he would not be too long about it. My powersof postponing our voyage to Holland appeared to have a distincttime-limit. 

"There seems nothing else to do, " I said. "I am sorry to have beenthe cause of changing all our plans; but the whole thing is as much amystery to me as it is to you. However the police got on to my track, it wasn't through any carelessness of mine. I am no more anxious to goback to Dartmoor now than I was six weeks ago. "

This last observation at least was true; and I can only hope therecording angel jotted it down as a slight set-off against theopposite column. 

Savaroff removed his bulky form from in front of the cabin door, andcrossing the well, sat down beside the others. They began to talkagain in German; but as before I could only catch the merest scraps oftheir conversation. Once I heard Sonia's name mentioned by McMurtrie, and I just caught Savaroff's muttered reply to the effect that she wasall right where she was, and could follow us to Germany later. As faras I could judge, they none of them had the remotest suspicion thatshe was in any way connected with the crisis. 

All this while we had been throbbing along down stream at a terrificpace, keeping well to the centre of the river, and giving such smallvessels as we passed a reasonably wide berth. If there was any troublecoming to us it seemed most likely to materialize in the neighbourhoodof Southend or Sheerness, which were the two places to which thepolice would be almost certain to send a description of the launchas soon as they could get to a telephone. As we reached the firstdanger-zone, I noticed von Brünig beginning to cast rather anxiousglances towards the shore. No one seemed to pay any attention to us, however, and without slackening speed, we swept out into the broadhighway of the Thames estuary. 

There were several torpedo-boats lying off Sheerness, but these alsoremained utterly indifferent to our presence. Apparently the policehad been too occupied in rescuing their coast-guard allies from awatery grave to reach a telephone in time, and we passed along downthe coast unsuspected and unchallenged. 

Whatever von Brünig's weak points might be, he could certainly steera motor-boat to perfection. He turned into the little creek under thebungalow at a pace which I certainly wouldn't have cared to attempteven in my wildest mood, and brought up in almost the identical spotwhere we had anchored the _Betty_ on the historic night of Latimer'srescue. 

We had a small collapsible Berthon boat on board, just big enough tohold four at a pinch. I watched Savaroff getting it ready, wonderinggrimly whether there was any chance of their leaving me on the launchwith only one member of the party as a companion. It would have suitedme excellently, though it might have been a little inconvenient for myprospective guardian. 

McMurtrie, however, promptly shattered this agreeable possibility byinviting me to take a seat in the boat. I think he believed I had toldhim the truth, but he evidently had no intention of letting me out ofhis sight again until I had actually handed him over the secret of thepowder. 

We landed at the foot of a little winding path, and dragged our boatout of the water on to a narrow strip of shingle. Then we set offup the cliff at a rapid pace, with von Brünig leading the way andSavaroff bringing up the rear. 

The bungalow was situated about a couple of hundred yards from thesummit, almost hidden by the high privet hedge which I had noticedfrom the sea. This hedge ran right round the garden, the only entrancebeing a small white gate in front of the house. Von Brünig walked up, the path followed by the rest of us, and thrusting his key into thelock pushed open the door. 

We found ourselves in a fairly big, low-ceilinged apartment, lightedby a couple of French windows opening on to the side garden. They werepartly covered by two long curtains, each drawn half way across. Theplace was comfortably furnished, and an easel with a half-finishedseascape on it bore eloquent witness to the purity of its tenants'motives. 

Von Brünig looked round with a sort of impatient surprise. 

"Where are the others?" he demanded harshly. "Why have they left theplace empty in this way?"

"They must have walked over to the post-office, " said McMurtrie. "Iknow Hoffman wanted to send a telegram. They will be back in a minute, I expect. "

Von Brünig frowned. "They ought not to have done so. Seeker at leastshould have known better. After the other night--" He paused, andcrossing the room threw open a door and disappeared into an adjoiningapartment. 

Without waiting for an invitation, I seated myself on a low couch inthe farther corner of the room. I felt quite cool, but I must admitthat the situation was beginning to strike me as a little unpromising. Unless Latimer turned up precious soon it seemed highly probable thathe would be too late. Considering the importance of getting me safelyto Germany, neither von Brünig nor McMurtrie was likely to stay aminute longer than was necessary. I might, of course, refuse to gowith them, but in that case the odds were that I should simply beoverpowered and taken on board by force. Von Brünig himself looked apretty tough handful to tackle, while Savaroff was about as powerfulas a well-grown bullock. Once I was safe in the former's "countryhouse" they would no doubt reckon on finding some means of bringing mequickly to reason. 

With a bag in one hand and a bundle of papers in the other von Brünigcame back into the room. 

"I shall not wait, " he announced curtly. "The risks are too great. Seeker and your friend must follow as best they can. "

"They are bound to be here in a minute, " objected Savaroff. 

Von Brünig turned on him with an angry gleam in his blue eyes. "Ishall not wait, " he repeated harshly. "The future of Germany is ofmore importance than their convenience. "

McMurtrie stepped forward, serene and imperturbable as ever. 

"I think Mr. Von Brünig is right, Savaroff, " he said. "The police mayhave recognized the launch, and in that case it would be madness forus not to go while we have the chance. We can leave a note for theothers. "

If Savaroff had any further objections he kept them to himself. Heturned away with a shrug on his broad shoulders, while McMurtrie satdown at the table and hastily wrote a few lines which he showed to vonBrünig. The other nodded his head approvingly. 

"That will do very well, " he said. "It will be safe if any one elseshould find it. Seeker knows where to come to. "

McMurtrie put the note in an envelope which he placed in the centre ofthe table. 

"And now, " he said, pushing back his chair, "the sooner we are out ofthis the better. "

I felt that if I was going to interfere the right time had nowarrived. Von Brünig's reply to Savaroff had given me just the openingI needed. 

"One moment, gentlemen!" I said, getting up from the couch. 

They all three turned in obvious surprise at the interruption. 

"Well?" rapped out von Brünig, "what is it?"

"I was under the impression, " I said, "that this new explosive of minewas to be put on the market as an ordinary commercial enterprise. "

McMurtrie rose from his chair and took a step forward. 

"You are perfectly right, " he said. "Why should you think otherwise?"

"In that case, " I replied steadily, "I should like to know what Mr. Von Brünig meant by his remark about the 'future of Germany. '"

There was a short pause. 

"Ach, Himmel!" broke out von Brünig. "What does it matter? What are wewasting time for? Tell him if he wishes. "

"Why, certainly, " said McMurtrie, smiling. "There is no mystery aboutit. I was merely keeping the matter quiet until it was settled. " Heturned to me. "The German Government have made us a very good offerfor your invention, provided of course that it will do what youclaim. "

"It will do what I claim all right, " I said coolly, "but I don't wishto sell it to the German Government. "

There was a sort of explosive gasp from von Brünig and Savaroff, and Isaw McMurtrie's eyes narrow into two dangerous cat-like slits. 

"_You don't-wish!_" he repeated icily. "May I ask why?"

"Certainly, " I said. "With the sole command of an explosive aspowerful as mine, Germany would be in a position to smash England inabout six weeks. "

"And suppose she was, " interrupted von Brünig. "What in God's namedoes it matter to you--an escaped convict?"

His voice rang with impatience and contempt, and I felt my own temperrising. 

"It matters just sufficiently, " I said, "that I'll see you in hellfirst. "

McMurtrie came slowly up to me, and looked me straight in the eyes. His face was white and terrible--a livid mask of controlled anger. 

"You fool, " he said almost pityingly. "You incredible fool! Do youimagine that you have any choice in the matter?"

Von Brünig and Savaroff moved up alongside of him, and I stood thereconfronting the three of them. 

"You have heard my choice, " I said. 

McMurtrie laughed. It was precisely the way in which I should imaginethe devil laughs on the rare occasions when he is still amused. 

"You are evidently a bad judge of character, Mr. Lyndon, " he said. "People who attempt to break faith with me are apt to find it a veryunhealthy occupation. "

I felt utterly reckless now. I had done my best to delay things, and if neither the police nor the Secret Service was ready to takeadvantage of it, so much the worse for them--and me. 

"I can quite believe you, doctor, " I said pleasantly. "I shouldimagine you were a dangerous ruffian from the intelligent way in whichyou murdered Marks. "

It was a last desperate stroke, but it went home with startlingeffect. 

Savaroff's face flushed purple, and with a fierce oath he gripped theback of a chair and swung it up over his head. The doctor stopped himwith a gesture of his hand. As for von Brünig, he stood where hewas, staring from one to the other of us in angry bewilderment. Heevidently hadn't the remotest notion what I was talking about. 

McMurtrie was the first to speak. "Yes, " he said, in his coolest, silkiest voice. "I did kill Marks. He was the last person who betrayedme. I rather think you will envy him before I have finished with you, Mr. Lyndon. "

"A thousand devils!" cried von Brünig furiously: "what does all thisnonsense mean? We may have the police here any moment. Knock him onthe head, the fool, and--"

"Stop!"

The single word cut in with startling clearness. We all spun round inthe direction of the sound, and there, standing in the window justbetween the two curtains, was the solitary figure of Mr. BruceLatimer. He was accompanied by a Mauser pistol which flickeredthoughtfully over the four of us. 

"Keep still, " he drawled--"quite still, please. I shall shoot thefirst man who moves. "

There was a moment of rather trenchant silence. Then von Brünigmoistened his lips with his tongue. 

"Are you mad, sir?" he began hoarsely. "By what--"

With a lightning-like movement McMurtrie slipped his right hand intohis side pocket, and as he did so Latimer instantly levelled hispistol. The two shots rang out simultaneously, but except for a cryand a crash of broken glass I knew nothing of what had happened. Inone stride I had flung myself on Savaroff, and just as he drew hisrevolver I let him have it fair and square on the jaw. Dropping hisweapon, he reeled backwards into von Brünig, and the pair of them wentto the floor with a thud that shook the building. Almost at the samemoment both the door and the window burst violently open, and two mencame charging into the room. 

The first of the intruders was Tommy Morrison. I recognized him justas I was making an instinctive dive for Savaroff's revolver, under theunpleasant impression that Hoffman and the other German had returnedfrom the post-office. You can imagine the delight with which Iscrambled up again, clutching that useful if rather belated weapon inmy hand. 

One glance round showed me everything there was to see. 

Face downwards in a little pool of blood lay the motionless figureof McMurtrie. Savaroff also was still--his huge bulk sprawled infantastic helplessness across the floor. Only von Brünig had moved; hewas sitting up on his hands, staring in a half-dazed fashion down thebarrel of Latimer's Mauser. 

It was Latimer himself who renewed the conversation. 

"Come and fix up these two, Ellis, " he said. "I will see to theother. "

The man who had burst in with Tommy, a lithe, hard-looking fellow in ablue suit, walked crisply across the room, and pulling out a pairof light hand-cuffs snapped them round von Brünig's wrists. He thenperformed a similar service for the still unconscious Savaroff. 

The next moment Latimer, Tommy, and I were kneeling round theprostrate figure of the doctor. We lifted him up very gently andturned him over on to his back, using a rolled-up rug as a pillow forhis head. He had been shot through the right lung and was bleeding atthe mouth. 

Latimer bent over and made a brief examination of the wound. Then witha slight shake of his head he knelt back. 

"I'm afraid there's no hope, " he remarked dispassionately. "It's apity. We might have got some useful information out of him. "

There was a short pause, and then quite suddenly the dying man openedhis eyes. It may have been fancy, but it seemed to me that for amoment a shadow of the old mocking smile flitted across his face. Hislips moved, faintly, as though he were trying to speak. I bent down tolisten, but even as I did so there came a fresh rush of blood into histhroat, and with a long shudder that strange sinister spirit of hispassed over into the darkness. I shall always wonder what it was thathe left unsaid. 

CHAPTER XXIV

EXONERATED

It was Tommy who pronounced his epitaph. "Well, " he observed, "he wasa damned scoundrel, but he played a big game anyhow. "

Latimer thrust his hand into the dead man's pocket, and drew out asmall nickel-plated revolver. One chamber of it was discharged. 

"Not a bad shot, " he remarked critically. "Fired at me through hiscoat, and only missed my head by an inch. "

He got up and looked round the room at the shattered window and theother traces of the fray, his gaze coming finally to rest on theprostrate figure of Savaroff. 

"That was a fine punch of yours, Lyndon, " he added. "I hope youhaven't broken his neck. "

"I don't think so, " I said. "Necks like Savaroff's take a lot ofbreaking. " Then, suddenly remembering, I added hastily: "By the way, you know that there are two more of the crowd--Hoffman and a friend ofvon Brünig's? They might be back any minute. "

Latimer shook his head almost pensively. "It's improbable, " he said. "I have every reason to believe that at the present moment they are inQueenborough police station. "

I saw Tommy grin, but before I could make any inquiries von Brünighad scrambled to his feet. His face looked absolutely ghastly in itsmingled rage and disappointment. After a fashion I could scarcely helpfeeling sorry for him. 

"I demand an explanation, " he exclaimed hoarsely. "By what right am Iarrested?"

Latimer walked up to him, and looked him quietly in the eyes. 

"I think you understand very well, _Captain_ von Brünig, " he said. 

There was a pause, and then, with a glance that embraced the four ofus, the German walked to the couch and sat down. If looks could kill Ithink we should all have dropped dead in our tracks. 

Providence, however, having fortunately arranged otherwise, weremained as we were, and at that moment there came from outside theunmistakable sound of an approaching car. I saw Latimer open hiswatch. 

"Quick work, Ellis, " he remarked, with some satisfaction. "I wasn'texpecting them for another ten minutes. Tell them to come straightin. " He snapped the case and turned back to me. "Suppose we try andawake our sleeping friend, " he added. "He looks rather a heavy weightfor lifting about. "

Between us we managed to hoist Savaroff up into a chair, while Tommystepped across the room and fetched a bottle of water which wasstanding on the sideboard. I have had some practice in my boxing daysof dealing with knocked-out men, and although Savaroff was a prettyhard case, a little vigorous massage and one or two good sousingssoon produced signs of returning consciousness. Indeed, he had justrecovered sufficiently to indulge in a really remarkable oath when thedoor swung open and Ellis came back into the room, accompanied by twoother men. One of them was dressed in ordinary clothes, the other worethe uniform of a police sergeant. 

I shall never forget the face of the latter as he surveyed the scenebefore him. 

"Gawd bless us!" he exclaimed. "What's up now, sir? Murder?"

"Not exactly, Sergeant, " replied Latimer soothingly. "I shot this manin self-defence. The other two I give into your charge. There is awarrant out for all three of them. "

It appeared that the sergeant knew who Latimer was, for he treated himwith marked deference. 

"Very well, sir, " he said. "If 'e's dead, 'e's dead; anyhow, I'veorders to take my instructions entirely from you. " Then, dragging anote-book out of his pocket, he added with some excitement: "There'sanother thing, sir, a matter that the Tilbury station have justtelephoned through about. It seems"--he consulted his references--"itseems that when they were in that launch of theirs they run down aparty o' coast-guards, who'd got hold of Lyndon, the missing convict. Off Tilbury it was. D'you happen to know anything about this, sir?"

Latimer nodded his head. "A certain amount, Sergeant, " he said. "Youwill find the launch in the creek at the bottom of the cliff. " Hepaused. "This is Mr. Neil Lyndon, " he added; "I will be responsiblefor his safe keeping. "

I don't know what sort of experiences the Isle of Sheppey usuallyprovides for its police staff, but it was obvious that, professionallyspeaking, the sergeant was having the day of his life. He stared at mefor a moment with the utmost interest, and then, recollecting himself, turned and saluted Latimer. 

"Very good, sir, " he said; "and what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to stay here for the present with one of my men, while wego to the station. I shall send the car back, and then you will takethe two prisoners into Queenborough. My man will remain in charge ofthe bungalow. "

The sergeant saluted again, and Latimer turned to me. 

"You and Morrison must come straight to town, " he said. "We shall justhave time to catch the twelve-three. "

It was at this point that Savaroff, who had been regarding us withthe half-stupid stare of a man who has newly recovered consciousness, staggered up unsteadily from his chair. His half-numbed brain seemedsuddenly to have grasped what was happening. 

"Verfluchter Schweinhund!" he shouted, turning on me. "So it was you, then--"

He got no further. However embarrassed the sergeant might be byexceptional events, he was evidently thoroughly at home in his owndepartment. 

"'Ere!" he said, stepping forward briskly, "stow that, me man!"And with a sudden energetic thrust in the chest, he sent Savaroffsprawling backwards on the couch almost on top of von Brünig. 

"Don't you use none of that language 'ere, " he added, standing overthem, "or as like as not you'll be sorry for it. "

There was a brief pause. "I see, Sergeant, " said Latimer gravely, "that I am leaving the case in excellent hands. "

He gave a few final instructions to Ellis, who was also stayingbehind, and then the four of us left the bungalow and walked quietlydown the small garden path that led to the road. Just outside the gatestood a powerful five-seated car. 

"Start her up, Guthrie, " said Latimer; and then turning to us, headded, with a smile: "I want you in front with me, Lyndon. I knowMorrison's dying for a yarn with you, but he must wait. "

Tommy nodded contentedly. "I can wait, " he observed; "it's a habitI've cultivated where Neil's concerned. "

We all clambered into the car, and, slipping in his clutch Latimer setoff at a rapid pace in the direction of Queenborough. It was not untilwe had rounded the first corner that he opened the conversation. 

"How did you know about Marks?" he asked, in that easy drawling voiceof his. 

"I didn't know for certain, " I said quietly. "It was more or less of alucky shot. "

Then, as he seemed to be waiting for a further explanation, I repeatedto him as briefly as possible what Sonia had told me about McMurtrie'sreason for visiting London. 

"I didn't go into all this in my letter to you, " I finished, "becausein the first place there was only just time for Joyce to catch thetrain, and in the second I didn't want to disappoint her in case itshould turn out to be all bunkum. You must have been rather amazedwhen I suddenly sprung it on McMurtrie. "

He shook his head, smiling. "Oh no, " he said--"hardly amazed. " Hepaused. "You see, I knew about it already, " he added placidly. 

If there was any amazement to spare at that moment it was certainlymine. 

"You knew about it!" I repeated. "You knew that McMurtrie had killedMarks?"

He nodded coolly. "You remember telling me in the boat that yourfriend Miss--Miss Aylmer, isn't it?--had recognized him as the man shesaw at the flat on the day of the murder?"

"Yes, " I said. 

"Well, if that was so, and you had been wrongly convicted, which Iwas inclined to believe, the doctor's presence on the scene seemed torequire a little looking into. I knew that at that time he had onlyjust arrived in London, so the odds were that he and Marks were oldacquaintances. I hunted up the evidence in your trial--I had ratherforgotten it--and I found just what I expected. Beyond the fact thatMarks was a foreigner and had been living in London for about eightyears, no one seemed to know anything about him at all. The policewere so confident in their case against you that apparently theyhadn't even bothered to make the usual inquiries. If they had takenthe trouble to communicate with St. Petersburg, they could have foundout all about Mr. Marks without much difficulty. The authorities therehave a wonderfully complete system of remembering their old friends. "

"But three years afterwards--" I began. 

"It makes very little difference, especially as just at present weare on excellent terms with the Russian Secret Service. They took thematter up for me, and last night I got the full particulars I wantedabout the man who had given away McMurtrie and his friends in St. Petersburg. There can be no question that he and Marks were the sameperson. "

I took a long--a very long breath. 

"There remains, " I said, "the Home Office. "

"I don't think you need be seriously worried about the Home Office, "returned Latimer serenely. "By this time they have a full statement ofthe case--except, of course, for my direct evidence that I heard thedoctor actually bragging of his achievement. I had a long interviewwith Casement before I left London this morning, and he said he wouldgo round directly after breakfast. He evidently arrived just too lateto prevent the order for your arrest. "

I nodded. "Sonia must have gone to the police last night, " I said; andthen in a few words I told him of the telegram I had received fromGertie 'Uggins, and how it had just enabled me to get away. 

"I don't know, " I finished, "how much my double escape complicatesmatters. However unjust my sentence was, there's no denying I'vecommitted at least three felonies since. I've broken prison, plugged awarder in the jaw, and shoved an oar into a policeman's tummy. Do youthink there's any possible chance of the Home Secretary being able tooverlook such enormities?"

Latimer laughed easily. "My dear Lyndon, " he said, "in return for whatyou've done for us, you could decimate the police force if you wantedto. " Then, speaking more seriously, he added: "I tell you frankly, there's every chance of a huge European war in the near future, andyou can see the different position we should be in if the Germans hadgot hold of this new powder of yours. Apart from that, the Governmentowe you every possible sort of reparation for the shameful way you'vebeen treated. If there's any 'overlooking' to be done, it will be onyour side, not on theirs. "

We were entering the dreary main street of Queenborough as he spoke, and before I could answer he drew up outside the post-office. 

"We've just time to send off a telegram, " he said. "I want to makesure of seeing Lammersfield and Casement directly we get to town. Theywill probably be at lunch if I don't wire. "

He entered the building, and Tommy took advantage of his brief absenceto lean over the back of the seat and grip my hand. 

"We've done it, Neil, " he said. "Damn it, we've done it!"

"_You've_ done it, Tommy, " I retorted. "You and Joyce between you. "

There was a short pause, and then Tommy gave vent to a deep satisfiedchuckle. 

"I'm thinking of George, " he said simply. 

It was such a beautiful thought that for a moment I too maintained avoluptuous silence. 

"We must find out whether they're going to prosecute him, " I said. "Idon't want to clash with the Government, but whatever happens I meanto have my five minutes first. They're welcome to what's left of him. "

Tommy nodded sympathetically, and just at that moment Latimer came outof the post-office. 

We got to the railway station with about half a minute to spare. The train was fairly crowded, but a word from Latimer to thestation-master resulted in our being ushered into an empty "first"which was ceremoniously locked behind us. It was not a "smoker, " butwith a fine disregard for such trifles Latimer promptly produced hiscigar case, and offered us each a delightful-looking Upman. There arecertainly some advantages in being on the side of the establishedorder. 

Soothed by the fragrant tobacco, and with an exquisite feeling ofrest and freedom, I lay back in the corner and listened to Latimer'spleasantly drawling voice, as he described to me how he hadaccomplished his morning's coup. 

It seems that, accompanied by Tommy and his own man Ellis, he hadarrived at Queenborough by the early train. Instructions had alreadybeen wired through from London that the Sheppey police were to putthemselves entirely at his disposal; and having commandeered a car, the three of them, together with our friend the sergeant, set off tothe bungalow. They pulled up some little distance away and waited forGuthrie, Latimer's other assistant, who had been keeping an eye on theplace during the night. He reported that McMurtrie and Savaroff andvon Brünig had just put off in the launch, leaving the other twobehind. 

"I guessed they had gone to pay you a visit, " explained Latimer drily, "and it seemed to me a favourable chance of doing a little calling onour own account. "

The net result of that little call had been the bloodless captureof Hoffman and the other German spy, who had been surprised in theprosaic act of swallowing their breakfast. 

Having been favoured by fortune so far, Latimer had promptly proceededto make the best use of his opportunity. It struck him that, whatevermight be the result of their visit to me, the other members of theparty were pretty sure to come back to the bungalow. The idea ofhiding behind the curtain at once suggested itself to him. It was justpossible that in this way he might pick up some valuable informationbefore he was discovered, while in any case it would give him theadvantage of taking them utterly by surprise. 

His first step had been to tie up the prisoners, and pack them off inthe car to Queenborough police station with Guthrie and the sergeantas an escort. (I should have loved to have heard his conversation withHoffman while the former operation was in progress!) He then carefullyremoved all inside and outside traces of the raid on the bungalow, andpicked out a couple of convenient hiding-places in the garden, whereTommy and Ellis could he in ambush until they were wanted. A shot fromhis revolver or the smashing of the French window was to be the signalfor their united entrance on the scene. 

"Well, you know the end of the story as well as I do, " he finished, nicking off the ash of his cigar. "Things could scarcely have turnedout better, except for that unfortunate accident with McMurtrie. "He paused. "I wouldn't have shot him for the world, " he addedregretfully, "but he really left me no choice. "

"He would have been hanged anyway, " put in Tommy consolingly. 

Latimer smiled. "I didn't mean to suggest that it was likely to keepme awake at night. I was only thinking that we might perhaps have gotsome useful information out of him. "

"It seems to me, " I said gratefully, "that we did. "

Through the interminable suburbs and slums of South-East London westeamed slowly into London Bridge Station and drew up at the platform. There was a taxi waiting almost opposite our carriage, and promptlysecuring the driver Latimer instructed him to take us "as quickly aspossible" to No. 10 Downing Street. 

The man carried out his order with almost alarming literalness, butProvidence watched over us and we reached the Foreign Office withoutdisaster. Favoured with a respectful salute from the liveried porteron duty, Latimer led the way into the hall. 

We followed him down a short narrow passage to another corridor, wherehe unlocked and opened a door on the left, ushering us into a smallroom comfortably fitted up as an office. 

"This is my own private den, " he said; "so no one will disturb you. Iwill go and see if Casement has come. If so, he is probably upstairswith Lammersfield. I will give them my report, and then no doubt theywill want to see you. You won't have to wait very long. "

He nodded pleasantly and left the room, closing the door after him. For all his quiet, almost lethargic manner, it was curious what anatmosphere of swiftness and decision he seemed to carry about withhim. 

I turned to Tommy. 

"Where's Joyce?" I asked. 

"She's at the flat, " he announced. "She said she would wait thereuntil she heard from us. I saw her last night, you know. I was havingsupper at Hatchett's with Latimer when she turned up with your letter. She'd come on from his rooms. "

"There are many women, " I said softly, "but there is only one Joyce. "

Tommy chuckled. "That's what Latimer thinks. After she left us--I wasstaying the night with him in Jermyn Street and we'd all three goneback there to talk it over--he said to me in that funny drawling wayof his: 'You know, Morrison, that girl will be wasted, even on Lyndon. She ought to be in the Secret Service. '"

I laughed. "I'm grateful to the Secret Service, " I said, "but thereare limits even to gratitude. "

For perhaps three-quarters of an hour we remained undisturbed, whileLatimer was presumably presenting his report to the authorities. Everynow and then we heard footsteps pass down the corridor, and on oneoccasion an electric bell went off with a sudden vicious energy thatI should never have expected in a Government office. The time passedquickly, for we had plenty to talk about; indeed, our only objectionto waiting was the fact that we were both beginning to get infernallyhungry, and it seemed likely to be some time yet before we should beable to get anything to eat. 

At last there came a discreet knock at the door, and an elderlyclean-shaven person with the manners of a retired butler appearednoiselessly upon the threshold. He bowed slightly to us both. 

"Lord Lammersfield wishes to see you, gentlemen. If you will be goodenough to follow me, I will conduct you to his presence. "

We followed him along the corridor and up a rather dingy staircase, when he tapped gently at a door immediately facing us. "Come in, "called out a voice, and with another slight inclination of his headour guide turned the handle and ushered us into the room. 

It was a solemn-looking sort of apartment furnished chiefly withbookcases, and having a general atmosphere of early Victorianstuffiness. At a big table in the centre two men were sitting. One wasLatimer; the other I recognized immediately as Lord Lammersfield. 

I had never known him personally in the old days, but I had often seenhim walking in the Park, or run across him at such popular restcures as Kempton and Sandown Park. He had changed very little in theinterval; his hair was perhaps a trifle greyer, otherwise he lookedjust the same debonair picturesque figure that the Oppositioncaricaturists had loved to flesh their pencils on. 

He got up as we entered, regarding us both with a pleasant whimsicalsmile that put me entirely at my ease at once. 

"This is Lyndon, " said Latimer, indicating me; "and this is Morrison. "

Lord Lammersfield came round the table and shook hands cordially withus both. 

"Sit down, gentlemen, " he said, "sit down. If half of what Mr. Latimerhas told me is true, you must be extremely tired. "

We all three laughed, and Tommy promptly took advantage of theinvitation to seat himself luxuriously in a big leather arm-chair. Iremained standing. 

"To be quite truthful, " I said, "it's been the most refreshing morningI can ever remember. "

Lord Lammersfield looked at me for a moment with the same smile on hislips. 

"Yes, " he said drily; "I suppose there is a certain stimulus insaving England before breakfast. Most of my own work in that line isaccomplished in the afternoon. " Then, with a sudden slight change inhis manner, he took a step forward and again held out his hand. 

"Mr. Lyndon, " he said, "as a member of the Government, and one who istherefore more or less responsible for the law's asinine blunders, Iam absolutely ashamed to look you in the face. I wonder if you addgenerosity to your other unusual gifts. "

For the second time we exchanged grips. "I have common gratitude atall events, Lord Lammersfield, " I said. "I know that you have tried tohelp me while I was in prison, and--"

He held up his other hand with a gesture of half-ironical protest. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "I am afraid that any poor efforts of mine inthat direction were due to the most flagrant compulsion. " He paused. "Whatever else you are unlucky in, Mr. Lyndon, " he added smilingly, "you can at least be congratulated on your friends. "

Then he turned to Latimer. "I think it would be as well if I explainedthe position before Casement and Frinton arrive. "

Latimer expressed his agreement, and motioning me to a chair, LordLammersfield again seated himself at the table. His manner, thoughstill quite friendly and unstilted, had suddenly become serious. 

"For the moment, Mr. Lyndon, " he said, "the Prime Minister is out ofLondon. We have communicated with him, and we expect him back tonight. In his absence it falls to me to thank you most unreservedly both onbehalf of the Government and the nation for what you have done. Itwould be difficult to overrate its importance. "

I began to feel a trifle embarrassed. 

"I really don't want any thanks, " I said. "I just drifted into it;and anyway one doesn't sell one's country, even if one is an escapedconvict. "

Lord Lammersfield laughed drily. "There are many men, " he said, "inyour position who would have found it an extraordinarily attractiveprospect. I am not at all sure I shouldn't have myself. " He paused. "We can't give you those three years of your life back, " he went on, "but fortunately we can make some sort of amends in other ways. I haveno doubt that the moment the Prime Minister is fully acquainted withthe circumstances he will arrange for what we humorously call a 'freepardon'; that is to say, the Law will very graciously forgive you forhaving been unjustly sent to prison. As for the rest--" he shruggedhis shoulders--"well, I don't imagine you will be precisely the loserfor not having sold your secret to the Wilhelmstrasse. Our ownWar Office are quite prepared to deal in any original methods ofscattering death that happen to be on the market just at present. "

There was a brief pause. 

"And are we free now?" inquired Tommy, with a rather pathetic glanceat the clock. 

"You should be very shortly, " returned Lammersfield. "Mr. Casement hasgone across to the Home Office to explain the latest developments toSir George Frinton. We are expecting them both here at any moment. "

"Sir George Frinton?" I echoed. "Why, I thought Mr. McCurdy was at theHome Office. "

Lammersfield smiled tolerantly: "You have been busy, Mr. Lyndon, andsome of the more important facts of modern history have possiblyescaped you. McCurdy resigned from the Government nearly three monthsago. "

"But Sir George Frinton!" I exclaimed. "Why, I know the old boy; Ihave a standing invitation to go and look him up. " And then, withoutwaiting for any questions, I described to them in a few words how theHome Secretary and I had travelled together from Exeter to London, andthe favourable impression I had apparently made. 

Both Lammersfield and Latimer were vastly amused--the former lyingback in his chair and laughing softly to himself in undisguisedmerriment. 

"How perfectly delightful!" he observed. "Poor old Frinton has hismerits, but--"

The libel he was about to utter on his distinguished colleague wassuddenly cut short by a knock at the door; and, in answer to hissummons, the butler-looking person entered and announced that SirGeorge Frinton and Mr. Casement were waiting for an audience. 

"Show them up at once, " said his lordship gravely; and then turning toLatimer as the man left the room he added, with a reflective smile:"I should never have believed that the Foreign Office could be soentertaining. "

CHAPTER XXV

A LITTLE FAMILY PARTY

The moment that Sir George Frinton reached the threshold, one couldsee that he was seriously perturbed. He entered the room in anenergetic, fussy sort of manner, and came bustling across to LordLammersfield, who had risen from the table to meet him. He wasfollowed by a grey-haired, middle-aged man, who strolled in quietly, looked across at Latimer, and then threw a sharp penetrating glance atTommy and me. 

It was Lammersfield who spoke first. "I was sorry to bother you, Frinton, " he said pleasantly, "but the matter has so much to do withyour department I thought you ought to be present. "

Sir George waved away the apology. "You were perfectly right, LordLammersfield--perfectly right. I should have come over in any case. Itis an astounding story. I have been amazed--positively amazed--at Mr. Casement's revelations. Can it be possible there is no mistake?"

"Absolutely none, " answered Latimer calmly. "Our people have movedwith the utmost discretion, and we have the entire evidence in ourhands. " He turned to Casement. "You have acquainted Sir George withthe whole of this morning's events?"

The quiet man nodded. "Everything, " he observed, in rather fatiguedvoice. 

"I understand, " said the Home Secretary, "that this man Lyndon isactually here. "

With a graceful gesture Lord Lammersfield indicated where I wasstanding. 

"Let me introduce you to each other, " he said. "Mr. Neil Lyndon--SirGeorge Frinton. "

I bowed respectfully, and when I raised my head again I saw that theHome Secretary was contemplating me with a puzzled stare. 

"You--your face seems strangely familiar to me, " he observed. 

"You evidently have a good memory, Sir George, " I replied. "I had thehonour and pleasure of travelling up from Exeter to London with youabout a fortnight ago. "

A sudden light came into his face, and adjusting his spectacles hestared at me harder than ever. 

"God bless my soul!" he exclaimed. "Of course, I remember now. " Hepaused. "And do you mean to tell me that you--an escaped convict--wereactually aware that you were travelling with the Home Secretary?"

I saw no reason for dimming the glory of the incident. 

"You were kind enough to give me one of your cards, " I reminded him. 

"Why, yes, to be sure; so I did--so I did. " Again he paused and gazedat me with a sort of incredulous amazement. "You must have nerves ofsteel, sir. Most men in such a situation would have been paralysedwith terror. "

The idea of Sir George paralysing anybody with terror struck me as sodelightful that I almost burst out laughing, but by a great effort Ijust managed to restrain myself. 

"As an escaped convict, " I said, "one becomes used to rather desperatesituations. "

Lammersfield, the corner of whose mouth was twitching suspiciously, broke into the conversation. 

"It was a remarkable coincidence, " he said, "but you see how itconfirms Casement's story if any further confirmation were needed. "

Sir George nodded. "Yes, yes, " he said. "I suppose there can be nodoubt about it. The proofs of it all seem beyond question. " He turnedto me. "Taking everything into consideration, Mr. Lyndon, you appearto have acted in a most creditable and patriotic manner. I understandthat the moment you discovered the nature of the plot in which youwere involved you placed yourself entirely at the disposal of theSecret Service. That is right, Mr. Latimer, is it not?"

Latimer stepped forward. "If Mr. Lyndon had chosen to do it, sir, " hesaid, "he could have sold his invention to Germany and escaped withthe money. At that time he had no proof to offer that he had beenwrongly convicted. Rather than betray his country, however, he wasprepared to return to prison and serve out his sentence. "

As an accurate description of my attitude in the matter it certainlyleft something to be desired, but it seemed to have a highlysatisfactory effect upon Sir George. He took a step towards me, andgravely and rather pompously shook me by the hand. 

"Sir, " he said, "permit me to congratulate you both on your conductand on the dramatic establishment of your innocence. It will be mypleasant duty as Home Secretary to see that every possible reparationis made to you for the great injustice that you have suffered. "

Lammersfield, who had gone back to his seat at the table, againinterrupted. 

"You agree with me, don't you, Frinton, that, pending any steps youand the Prime Minister choose to take in the matter, Mr. Lyndon mayconsider himself a free man?"

Sir George seemed a trifle embarrassed. "Well--er--to a certainextent, most decidedly. I have informed Scotland Yard that he hasvoluntarily surrendered himself to the Secret Service, so there willbe no further attempt to carry out the arrest. I--I presume that Mr. Casement and Mr. Latimer will be officially responsible for him?"

The former gave a reassuring nod. "Certainly, Sir George, " heobserved. 

"I am entirely in your hands, sir, " I put in. "There are one or twolittle things I wanted to do, but if you prefer that I should considermyself under arrest--"

"No, no, Mr. Lyndon, " he interrupted; "there is no necessity forthat--no necessity at all. Strictly speaking, of course, you are stilla prisoner, but for the present it will perhaps be best to avoid anyformal proceedings. I understand that both Lord Lammersfield and Mr. Casement consider it advisable to keep the whole matter as quiet aspossible, at all events until the return of the Prime Minister. Afterthat we must decide what steps it will be best to take. "

"I am very much obliged to you, " I said. "There is one question Ishould like to ask if I may. "

He took off his spectacles and polished them with hispocket-handkerchief. "Well?" he observed encouragingly. 

"I should like to know whether Savaroff's daughter is in custody--thegirl who gave the police their information about me. "

"Ah!" he said, with some satisfaction, "that is a point on which youall appear to have been misled. I have just enlightened Mr. Casementin the matter. The information on which the police acted was notsupplied by a girl. " He paused. "It was given them by your cousin andlate partner, Mr. George Marwood. "

"What!" I almost shouted; and I heard Tommy indulge in ahalf-smothered exclamation which was not at all suited to ourdistinguished company. 

Sir George, who was evidently pleased with our surprise, nodded hishead. 

"Mr. Marwood rang up Scotland Yard at half-past ten last night. Hetold them he had received an anonymous letter giving two addresses, at one of which you would probably be found. He also gave a fulldescription of the alterations in your appearance. "

I turned to Latimer. "I suppose it was Sonia, " I said. "I neverdreamed of her going to him, though. "

"It was very natural, " he replied in that unconcerned drawl of his. "She knew that your cousin would do everything possible to get youunder lock and key again, and at the same time she imagined she wouldavoid the risk of being arrested herself. "

"Quite so, quite so, " said Sir George, nodding his head sagely. "Fromall I can gather she seems to be a most dangerous young woman. I shallmake a particular point of seeing that she is arrested. "

His words came home to me with a sudden swift stab of pity andremorse. It was horrible to think of Sonia in jail--Sonia eating outher wild passionate heart in the hideous slavery I knew so well. Thethought of all that she had risked and suffered for my sake crowdedback into my mind with overwhelming force. I took a step forward. 

"Sir George, " I said, "a moment ago you were good enough to say thatthe Government would try and make me some return for the injustice Ihave suffered. "

He looked at me in obvious surprise. "Certainly, " he said--"certainly. I am convinced that they will take the most generous view of thecircumstances. "

"There is only one thing I ask, " I said. "Except for this girl, SoniaSavaroff, the Germans would now be in possession of my invention. Ifthe Government feel that they owe me anything, they can cancel thedebt altogether by allowing her to go free. "

Sir George raised his eyeglass. "You ask this after she did her bestto send you back to penal servitude?"

I nodded. "I am not sure, " I said, "that I didn't thoroughly deserveit. "

For a moment Sir George stared at me in a puzzled sort of fashion. "Very well, " he said; "I think it might be arranged. As you say, shewas of considerable assistance to us, even if it was unintentionally. That is a point in her favour--a distinct point. "

"How about our friend Mr. Marwood?" put in Lammersfield pleasantly. "Between perjury and selling Government secrets I suppose we haveenough evidence to justify his arrest?"

"I think so, " said Sir George, nodding his head solemnly. "Anyhow Ihave given instructions for it. In a case like this it is best to beon the safe side. "

My heart sank at his words. Charming as it was to think of George inthe affectionate clutch of a policeman, I could almost have wept atthe idea of being robbed of my own little interview with him, to whichI had been looking forward for so long. It was Lammersfield who brokein on my disappointment. "I should imagine, " he said considerately, "that you two, as well as Latimer, must be half starving. I supposeyou have had nothing to eat since breakfast. "

Tommy rose to his feet with an alacrity that answered the question sofar as he was concerned, and I acknowledged that a brief interval forrefreshment would be by no means unwelcome. 

"Well, I'm afraid I can't spare Latimer just yet, " he said, "but youtwo go off and have a good lunch. Come back here again as soon asyou've done. I will ring up the War Office and the Admiralty while youare away, and we will arrange for a couple of their men to meet ushere, and then you can explain about your new explosive. I fancy youwill find them quite an appreciative audience. "

He pressed a bell by his side, and getting up from the table, accompanied us to the door, where I stopped for a moment to try andexpress my thanks both to him and Sir George. 

"My dear Mr. Lyndon, " he interrupted courteously, "you have been inprison for three years for a crime that you didn't commit, and inreturn for that you have done England a service that it is almostimpossible to overrate. Under the circumstances even a CabinetMinister may be excused a little common civility. "

As he spoke there came a knock at the door, and in answer to hissummons the impassive butler person appeared on the threshold. 

"Show these gentlemen out, Simpson, " he said, "and let me knowdirectly they return. " Then, shaking my hand in a friendly fashion, headded with a quizzical smile, "If you should happen to come across anymutual acquaintance of ours, perhaps you will be kind enough toconvey my unofficial congratulations. I hope before long to have theprivilege of offering them personally. "

I promised to deliver his message, and, following our guidedownstairs, we passed out into the street. 

"I like that chap, " said Tommy. "He's got no silly side about him. Joyce always said he was a good sort. "

He stopped on the pavement, and with his usual serene disregard forthe respectabilities proceeded to fill and light a huge briar pipe. 

"What's the programme now?" he inquired. "I'm just dying for somegrub. "

"We'll get a taxi and run down to the flat and pick up Joyce, " I said. "Then we'll come back to the Café Royal and have the best lunch that'sever been eaten in London. "

Tommy indulged in one of his deep chuckles. 

"If anyone's expecting me in Downing Street before six o'clock, " heobserved, "I rather think he's backed a loser. "

It was not until we were in a taxi, and speeding rapidly past theHouse of Commons, that I broached the painful subject of George. 

"I don't know what to do, " I said. "If he's at his house, he has beenarrested by now, and if he isn't the police will probably find himbefore I shall. It will break my heart if I don't get hold of him forfive minutes. "

Tommy grunted sympathetically. "It's just on the cards, " he said, "that Joyce might know where he is. "

Faint as the chance seemed, it was sufficient to cheer me up a little, and for the rest of the drive we discussed the important question ofwhat we should have for lunch. After a week of sardines and tinnedtongue I found it a most inspiring topic. 

As we reached the Chelsea Embankment a happy idea presented itselfto me. "I tell you what, Tommy, " I said. "We won't go and knock atJoyce's flat. Let's slip round at the back, as we did before, and takeher by surprise. "

"Right you are, " he said. "She's probably left the studio door open. She generally does on a hot afternoon like this. "

The taxi drew up at Florence Court, and telling the driver to wait forus, we Walked down the passage and turned into Tommy's flat. Therewere several letters for him lying on the floor inside, and while hestopped to pick them up, I passed on through the studio and out intothe little glass-covered corridor at the back. 

It was quite a short way along to Joyce's studio, and from where I wasI could see that her door was slightly ajar. I stepped quietly, so asnot to make any noise, and I had covered perhaps half the distance, when suddenly I pulled up in my tracks as if I had been turned intostone. For a moment I stood there without moving or even breathing. Acouple of yards away on the other side of the door I could hear twopeople talking. One of them was Joyce; the other--the other--well, ifI had been lying half-unconscious on my death-bed I think I shouldhave recognized that voice!

There was a sound behind me, and whipping noiselessly round I was justin time to signal to Tommy that he must keep absolutely quiet. Thenwith my heart beating like a drum I crept stealthily forward until Iwas within a few inches of the open door. I was shaking all over witha delight that I could hardly control. 

"... You quite understand. " (I could hear every word George was sayingas plainly as if I were in the room. ) "I only have to ring up thepolice, and in half an hour he'll be back again in prison--back forthe rest of his life. He won't escape a second time--you can be sureof that. "

"Well?"

The single word came clear and distinct, but it would be difficult todescribe the scorn which Joyce managed to pack into it. It had someeffect on George. 

"You have just got to do what I want--that's all, " he exclaimedangrily. "I leave England tonight, and unless you come with me I shallgo straight from here and ring up Scotland Yard. You can make yourchoice now. You either come down to Southampton with me this evening, or Lyndon goes back to Dartmoor tomorrow. "

"Then you were lying when you said you were anxious to help him?"

With a mighty effort George apparently regained some control over histongue. 

"No, I wasn't, Joyce, " he said. "God knows I'm sorry for the poordevil--I always have been; but there's nothing in the world thatmatters to me now except you. I--I lost my temper when you said youwouldn't come. You didn't mean it, did you? Lyndon can never beanything to you; he is dead to all of us. At the best he can only be askulking convict hiding from the police in South America or somewhere. You come with me; you shall never be sorry for it. I've plenty ofmoney, Joyce; and I'll give you the best time a woman ever had. "

"And if I refuse?" asked Joyce quietly. 

It was evident from the sound that George had taken a step towardsher. 

"Then Lyndon will go back to Dartmoor and stop there till he rots anddies. "

There was a short pause, and then very clearly and deliberately Joycegave her answer. 

"I think you are the foulest man in the world, " she said. "It makes mesick to be in the same room with you. "

The gasp of fury and astonishment that broke from George's lips fellon my ears like music. He was so choking with rage that for a momenthe could hardly speak. 

"Damn you!" he stuttered at last. "So that's your real opinion, is it!That's what you've been thinking all along! Trying to use me to helpthat precious convict lover of yours--eh?"

I heard him come another step nearer. 

"I'll make you pay for this, anyhow, " he snarled. "Sick at beingin the same room with me, are you? Then by God I'll give you somereason--"

With a swift jerk I flung open the door and stepped in over thethreshold. 

"Not this time, George dear, " I said. 

If the devil himself had shot up through the floor in a crackle ofblue flame, I don't think it could have had a more striking effecton my late partner. With his mouth open and his face the colour offreshly mixed putty, he stood perfectly still in the centre of theroom, gazing at me like a man in a trance. For a second--a wholebeautiful rich second--he remained in this engaging attitude; then, as if struck by an electric shock, he suddenly spun round with theobvious intention of making a dart for the door. 

The idea was distinctly a sound one, but it was too late to be of anypractical value. Directly he moved I stepped in, and catching him asmashing box on the ear with my right hand sent him sprawling fulllength on the carpet. Joyce laughed gaily, while lounging across theroom Tommy set his back against the door and beamed cheerfully on thethree of us. 

"Quite a little family party, " he observed. 

Joyce was in my arms, and we were kissing each other in the mostshameless and unabashed way. 

"Oh, my dear, " she said, "I hope you haven't hurt your hand. "

"It stung a bit, " I admitted, "but I've got another one--and twofeet. " I put her gently aside. "Get up, George, " I said. 

He lay where he was, pretending to be unconscious. 

"If you don't get up at once, George, " I said softly, "I shall kickyou--hard. "

He scrambled to his feet, and then crouched back against the walleyeing me like a trapped weasel. 

I indulged myself in a good heart-filling look at him. 

"So you've been sorry for me, George?" I said. "All these three longweary years that I've been rotting in Dartmoor, you've been really andtruly sorry for me?"

He licked his lips and nodded. 

I laughed. "Well, I'm sorry for _you_ now, George, " I said--"damnedsorry. "

If anything, the putty-like pallor of his face became still moreghastly. 

"Don't do anything violent, Neil, " he whispered. "You'll only regretit. I swear to you--"

"I shouldn't swear, " I said. "You don't want to die with a lie on yourlips. "

The sweat broke out on his forehead, and he glanced desperately roundthe room, as though seeking for some possible method of escape. Theonly comfort he got was a shake of the head from Tommy. 

"You--you don't mean to murder me?" he gasped. 

I gave a fiendish laugh. "Don't I!" I cried. "What's one murder moreor less? I know you've put the police on to me, and I'd sooner behanged than go back to Dartmoor any day. "

Tommy rubbed his hands together ghoulishly. "What are we going to dowith him?" he asked. "Cut his throat?"

"No, " I said. "It would make a mess, and we don't want to spoilJoyce's carpet. "

"Oh, it doesn't matter about the carpet, " said Joyce unselfishly. 

"I've got it, " said Tommy. "Why not throw him in the river? The tide'sup; I noticed it as we came along. "

Whether he intended the suggestion seriously or not I don't know, butI rose to it like a trout to a fly. There are seldom more than twofeet of water at high tide at that particular part of the Embankment, and the thought of dropping George into its turbid embrace filled mewith the utmost enthusiasm. 

"By Jove, Tommy!" I exclaimed. "That's a brilliant idea. The Thameswater's about the only thing he wouldn't defile. "

I stepped forward, and before George knew what was happening I hadswung him round and clutched him by the collar and breeches. 

"Open the door, " I said, "and just see there's no one in the passage. "

With a deep chuckle Tommy turned to obey, while Joyce laughed witha viciousness that I should never have given her credit for. As forGeorge--well, I suppose in his blind terror he really thought he wasgoing to be drowned, for he kicked and struggled and raved till it wasas much as I could do to hold him. 

"All clear!" sang out Tommy from the hall. 

"Stand by, then, " I said, and taking a deep breath, I ran Georgethrough the flat down the passage, and out into the street, in a stylethat would have done credit to the chucker out at the Empire. 

There were not many people about, and those that were there had notime to interfere even if they had wanted to do so. I just got aglimpse of the startled face of our taxi driver as he jumped aside tolet us pass, and the next moment we had crossed the road and fetchedup with a bang against the low Embankment wall. 

I paused for a moment, renewed my grip on George's collar, and took aquick look round. Tommy was beside me, and a few yards away, down atthe bottom of some steps, I saw a number of small boys paddling in thewater. There was evidently no risk of anybody being drowned. 

"I'll take his feet, " said Tommy, suiting the action to the word. "Youget hold of his arms. "

There was a brief struggle, a loud scream for help, and the nextmoment George was swinging merrily between us. 

"One! Two! Three!" I cried. 

At the word "three" we let go simultaneously. He flew up into the airlike a great wriggling crab, twisted round twice, and then wentdown into the muddy water with a splash that echoed all over theEmbankment. 

"Very nice, " said Tommy critically. "But we ought to have put a stoneround his neck. "

One glance over the wall showed me that there was no danger. Dripping, floundering, and gasping for breath, George emerged from the surfacelike a frock-coated Neptune rising from the waves. He seemed to betrying to speak, but the shrieks of innocent delight with which hisreappearance was greeted by the paddling boys unfortunately preventedus from hearing him. 

I thrust my arm through Tommy's. "Come along, " I said. "We must getout of this before there's a row. "

Swift as we had been about it, our little operation had alreadyattracted a certain amount of notice. People were hurrying up from alldirections, but without paying any attention to them, we walkedback towards the taxi, the driver of which had apparently been tooastonished to move. 

"Gor blimey, Guv'nor, " he ejaculated, "what sorter gime d'you callthat?"

"It's all right, driver, " said Tommy gravely. "We found him insultingthis gentleman's sister. "

The driver, who evidently had a nice sense of chivalry, at once cameround to our side. 

"Was 'e?--the dirty 'ound!" he observed. "Well, you done it on 'improper. You ain't drowned 'im, 'ave ye, gents?"

"Oh no, " I said. "He's addressing a few words to the crowd now. " Thenseeing Joyce standing in the doorway I hurried up the steps. 

"Joyce dear, " I said, "put on a hat and come as quick as you can. It'squite all right, but we want to get out of this before there's anybother. "

She nodded, and disappeared into the flat, while I strolled back tothe taxi. 

It was evident from a movement among the spectators that George wasmaking his way towards the steps. Some of them who had come running upkept turning round and casting curious glances at us, but so far noone had attempted to interfere. It was not until Joyce was just comingout of the flats, that a man detached himself from the crowd andstarted across the road. He was a big, fat, greasy person in a bowlerhat. 

"Here, " he said. "You wait a bit. What d'ye mean by throwing that poreman in the river?"

I opened the door of the taxi and Joyce jumped in. 

"What's it got to do with you, darling?" asked Tommy affably. 

"What's it got to do with me!" he repeated indignantly. "Why, it'sjust the mercy o' Gawd--"

"Come on, Tommy, " I said. 

Tommy took a step forward, but the man clutched him by the arm. 

"No yer don't, " he said, "not till ... Ow!"

With a sudden vigorous shove Tommy sent him staggering back across thepavement, and the next moment we had both jumped into the taxi andbanged the door. 

"Right away, " I called out. 

I think there was some momentary doubt amongst the other spectatorswhether they oughtn't to interfere, but before they could make uptheir minds our sympathetic driver had thrust in his clutch, and wewere spinning away down the Embankment. 

Joyce, who was sitting next to me, slipped her hand into mine. 

"I love to see you both laughing, " she said, "but I _should_ liketo know what's happened! At present I feel as if I was acting in acinematograph play. "

We told her--told her in quick, eager sentences of how the danger andmystery that had hung over us so for long had at last been scatteredand destroyed. It was a broken, inadequate sort of narrative, jerkedout as we bumped over crossings and pulled by behind buses, but Ifancy from the light in her eyes and the pressure of her hand thatJoyce was quite contented. 

"It's--it's like waking up after some horrible dream, " she said, "andsuddenly finding that everything's all right. Oh, I knew it would bein the end--I knew it the whole time--but I never dreamed it wouldhappen all at once like this. "

"Neither did George, " chuckled Tommy. "How long had he been with you, Joyce?"

"About twenty minutes, " she said. "He came straight to me fromHarrod's, where he's spent most of the day buying stores for hisyacht. He had quite made up his mind I was coming with him. I don'tbelieve he's got the faintest idea about what's happened thismorning. "

"He will have soon, " I said. "That's why I threw him in the river. He's bound to go back to the house for a change of clothes, and he'llfind the police waiting for him there. "

"That'll be just right, " observed Tommy complacently. "There's nothingso good as a little excitement to stop one from catching cold. "

"Except lunch, " I added, as the taxi rounded the corner of Piccadillyand drew up outside the Café Royal. 

What the manager of that renowned restaurant must have thought ofus, I find it rather difficult to guess. It is not often, I shouldimagine, that two untidy mud-stained men and a beautiful girl turn upat four o'clock in the afternoon and demand the best meal that Londoncan provide. 

Fortunately, however, he proved to be a gentleman of philosophy andresource. He accepted our request with perfect composure, and by thetime we had succeeded in making ourselves passably respectable hepresented us with a menu that deserved to be set to music. 

Heavens, what a lunch that was! We ate it all by ourselves in the bigempty restaurant, with half a dozen fascinated waiters eyeing us fromthe end of the room. They were probably speculating as to whether wewere eccentric millionaires, or whether we had just escaped from someprivate lunatic asylum, but we were all far too cheerful to care whatthey thought. We ate, we drank, we laughed, we talked, with a recklessjubilant happiness that would have survived the scrutiny of all thewaiters in London. 

"I know what we'll do, Joyce, " I said, when at last the dessert wascleared away and we were sitting in a delicate haze of cigar smoke. "As soon as things are fixed up I'll buy a good second-hand thirty-tonboat, and you and I and Tommy will go off for a six months' cruise. We'll take Mr. Gow as skipper, and your little page-boy as steward, and we'll run down to the Mediterranean and stop there till people aretired of gassing about us. "

"That will be beautiful, " said Joyce simply. 

"I'll come, " exclaimed Tommy, "unless the Secret Service refuse togive me up. " Then he stopped and looked mischievously across at Joyceand me. "It's a pity we can't ask Sonia too, " he added. 

"Poor Sonia, " said Joyce. "I am so glad you got her off. "

"Are you really?" asked Tommy. "That shows I know nothing about women. I always thought that if two girls loved the same man they hated eachother like poison. "

Joyce nodded. "So they do as a rule. "

"Well, Sonia loved Neil all right; you can take my word for it. "

Joyce laughed softly. "Yes, Tommy dear, " she said, "but then, you see, Neil didn't love _her_--and that just makes all the difference. "