Part 49 (1/2)
So they made it up!
After their cordial handshake, Juve, wis.h.i.+ng to define the situation, asked:
”Now what are we after exactly--you and I? What is the common aim of the Second Bureau and Police Headquarters?”
De Loubersac's reply was:
”A doc.u.ment has been stolen from us: we want to find it.”
Juve said:
”Two crimes have been committed: we wish to seize the a.s.sa.s.sin.”
”And,” continued de Loubersac, with a smile, ”as it is probable the murderer of Captain Brocq and Nichoune is none other than the individual who stole our doc.u.ment.”...
”By uniting our efforts,” finished Juve, ”we have every chance of discovering the one and the other.”
There was a pause. Then Juve asked:
”Nevertheless, Lieutenant, since I find you here, I fancy there is some side development--some incident?... In reality, have you not come to Dieppe to intercept a certain corporal who is to deliver to a foreign power a piece of artillery of the highest importance?”
”You have hit it!” was de Loubersac's reply. ”I see you know about this gun affair!”
Juve nodded.
The two men were slowly returning towards the town by way of the outer harbour quays. They approached a dock, in which was anch.o.r.ed a pretty little yacht flying the Dutch flag. Juve stared hard at this elegant craft. De Loubersac enquired if yachting was his favourite sport. Juve smiled.
”Far from it! Nevertheless, when that yacht weighs anchor, it would be my delight to inspect her from stem to stern, accompanied by the Custom House officials. It is my conviction that Corporal Vinson will soon turn up, slip aboard with the stolen gun-piece, conceal it in some prepared hiding-hole below: his otherwise uninteresting person will be hidden also.”
”I am of the same mind,” declared de Loubersac.
As the two men strolled they exchanged information.
De Loubersac told Juve that, according to the latest messages from the Second Bureau, Vinson had left Paris with a priest, in a hired motor-car, and had taken the road to Rouen, that in all probability they would reach Dieppe before nightfall, and when they arrived!...
”It is precisely at that moment we shall arrest them. I have made all arrangements with the local police,” finished de Loubersac.
”Ah!” murmured Juve. ”What a pity Captain Loreuil and Inspector Michel came on the scenes last night and arrested me prematurely, thinking they had got the real Vagualame, for now I can never make use of the ruffian's disguise to pump the different members of the great spy organisation we are on the track of!”
”But what prevents you now from masquerading as Vagualame?” demanded de Loubersac.
”Why, when no one knew I was a false Vagualame, I could make up in his likeness: now they know the truth; not only is it known by the followers of Vagualame by this time, but--I am certain of it--I was recognised by the real Vagualame himself!”
”Did he see you then?”
”I would stake my life on it!” a.s.serted Juve.
”Just when?... Where?... In the street?” de Loubersac was keenly interested.
”No--just when I was arrested.”