Part 12 (2/2)

'I will tell you a tale,' he said 'It happened al I was quartered in a re for big barbel in the river A little Arab mare used to carry ot at Tiood sport, and theand squealing and sta her with my voice while my mind was intent on fish I could see her all the tiht, out of a corner of my eye, tethered to a tree twenty yards away After a couple of hours I began to think of food I collected , andthe tarpaulin on her back--'

He paused and looked round

'It was the s I turnedat a lion three feet offAn old eWhat was left of the mare, a mass of blood and bones and hide, was behind hih of a hunter to know a true yarn when I heard it

'I stuffed -rod into his jaws, and I had a pistol Also my servants came presently with rifles But he left his ers

'Consider,' he said 'The mare had been deadme ever since I never saw the kill, for I was accusto, and I never marked her absence, fortawny, and the lion filled that part If I could blunder thus, gentlemen, in a land where men's senses are keen, why should we busy preoccupied urban folk not err also?'

Sir Walter nodded No one was ready to gainsay him

'But I don't see,' went on Winstanley 'Their object was to get these dispositions without our knowing it Now it only required one of us to ht for the whole fraud to be exposed'

Sir Walter laughed dryly 'The selection of Alloa shows their acuht? Or was he likely to open the subject?'

I remembered the First Sea Lord's reputation for taciturnity and shortness of te that puzzles ood his visit here would do that spy fellow? He could not carry away several pages of figures and strange names in his head'

'That is not difficult,' the Frenchraphic , but went through these papers again and again I think we may assume that he has every detail staer I could do the sa for it but to change the plans,' said Sir Walter ruefully

Whittaker was looking very glum 'Did you tell Lord Alloa what has happened?' he asked 'No? Well, I can't speak with absolute assurance, but I'e unless we alter the geography of England'

'Another thing must be said,' it was Royer who spoke 'I talked freely when thatof the military plans of my Government I was permitted to say so much But that information would be worth many millions to our enemies No, my friends, I see no other way The man who came here and his confederates must be taken, and taken at once'

'Good God,' I cried, 'and we have not a rag of a clue'

'Besides,' said Whittaker, 'there is the post By this time the neill be on its way'

'No,' said the Frenchman 'You do not understand the habits of the spy He receives personally his reward, and he delivers personally his intelligence We in France know so of the breed There is still a chance, MES AMIS These men must cross the sea, and there are shi+ps to be searched and ports to be watched Believe me, the need is desperate for both France and Britain'

Royer's grave good sense see fumblers But I saw no hope in any face, and I felt none

Where a the fifty millions of these islands and within a dozen hours e to lay hands on the three cleverest rogues in Europe?

Then suddenly I had an inspiration

'Where is Scudder's book?' I cried to Sir Walter 'Quick,in it'

He unlocked the door of a bureau and gave it to me