Part 49 (2/2)
”The cruiser--yes. That's a mistake.”
Sir Joseph made a sound of impatience with his tongue.
Again a prolonged silence fell. Both men were absorbed. The pa.s.sage of time seemed of no consequence. The cold of the night seemed to concern them not at all.
”I don't know,” Steele said much later, in answer to his chief's remark. ”You can't tell what's doing from here. Nor what arrangements young Farlow has made. Ah!”
”Lights.” Sir Joseph waited.
”Green astern. White ahead. Red amids.h.i.+ps. The foreigner has shed a pinnace. It's coming ash.o.r.e. It's getting interesting. That boy seemed pretty clear. I hope things are all right.”
The boat was racing towards the sh.o.r.e at a point to the right of the two watchers. Sir Reginald was following it closely with his night gla.s.ses. The other continued his survey of the vessels beyond.
Presently he spoke.
”She's steaming again--the cruiser.”
”Yes.” The other's gla.s.ses were raised towards the horizon again.
”She's covered the foreigner's lights.” Sir Joseph lowered his gla.s.ses.
”What's the time?”
His companion lowered his gla.s.ses. He glanced at his watch.
”Nearly half-past six,” he said significantly. Then in a moment his gla.s.ses were levelled at a point much nearer into land. ”Ah, here she comes,” he said, in his quick way. ”Now the play begins. The curtain's going up. No lights. A good many regulations are being broken to-night.
Shall we need an enquiry into it, Chief?” Sir Reginald laughed. ”Well, Lordburgh is to blame if any trouble occurs. He forced us to lend our powerful aid in this thing. The odds are on that boy Ruxton. I'd bet my hopes of pension on it. He's keen and confident. Such romance never came our way, eh? I haven't heard before of units of the British Navy being used to secure a man a wife.”
Sir Joseph laughed shortly.
”There's a good deal more than a woman in this. According to Lordburgh this trifling naval episode may secure the person of Germany's strong man--criminally engaged. It would be worth while. Sparling's a good man. If they pull it off it'll be his best day's work. h.e.l.lo!”
At that moment a great white beam of light shot athwart the sky. It moved swiftly and rigidly. It swept in a great arc and settled on the face of the cliff away to their right.
”Look. Three lights just below us.” Sir Reginald pointed out upon the water. ”Green astern. White ahead. Red amids.h.i.+ps. It isn't the foreigner from outside. It's----”
”Hark!” Sir Joseph held up a warning hand.
The two men listened acutely. Far away, remote but distinct, the sound of a pistol-shot reached them.
”That's the second,” said Sir Joseph. ”Come along, let's go and see what's happening.”
CHAPTER XXVIII
THE WEEK-END
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