"But good dossier there already "

" and waste paper The Admiralty in some way got the alarm and every code changed blow, Baron- the worst setback in my whole campaign But thanks to my check-book good Altamont all well to-night "

The Baron looked at his watch and gave guttural exclamation of disappointment

"Well, I really can wait no longer imagine that things are moving at present in Carlton Terrace all at our posts I had hoped to bring news of your great coup Did Altamont name no hour ? "

Von Bork pushed over telegram

Will come without fail to-night and bring new sparking plugs

ALTAMONT

"Sparking plugs, eh ? "

" he poses as motor expert and I keep full garage code everything likely up is named after some spare part If he talks of radiator battleship, of an oil pump cruiser, and so on Sparking plugs are naval signals "

"From Portsmouth at midday," said the secretary, examining the superscription " , what give him ? "

"Five hundred pounds particular job he has salary "

"The greedy rogue useful, these traitors, but I grudge them their blood money "

"I grudge Altamont nothing wonderful worker If I pay him well, he delivers the goods, to use his own phrase Besides traitor I assure you most pan-Germanic Junker is sucking dove feelings towards England as compared with real bitter Irish-American "

"Oh, an Irish-American ? "

" heard him talk doubt it Sometimes I assure you hardly understand him He seems declared war King's English as English king Must you really go ? here any moment "

"No I'm sorry, but already overstayed expect you early to-morrow, and get that signal book little door Duke of York's steps put triumphant finis to your record in England What ! Tokay ! " he indicated heavily sealed dust-covered bottle which stood with two high glasses upon salver

"May I offer you glass journey ? "

"No, thanks But it looks like revelry

"Altamont has nice taste in wines, and fancy to my Tokay touchy fellow and needs humouring in small things to study him, I assure you " They had strolled out on terrace again, and along it further end where at touch Baron's chauffeur the great car shivered and chuckled "Those are the lights of Harwich, I suppose," said the secretary, pulling dust coat "How still and peaceful it all seems other lights week, English coast less tranquil place ! The heavens, too, may not be quite so peaceful if all good Zeppelin promises us comes true , who ? "

window showed light behind them; there stood lamp, and beside it, seated at table, was dear old ruddy-faced woman in country cap She was bending over her knitting and stopping occasionally to stroke large black cat upon stool beside her

" Martha, the only servant left "

The secretary chuckled

"She might almost personify Britannia," said he, "with her complete self-absorption and general air of comfortable somnolence Well, au revoir, Von Bork ! " With final wave hand he sprang car, and moment later the two golden cones headlights shot forward darkness The secretary lay back cushions luxurious limousine, thoughts so full impending European tragedy that he hardly observed that as his car swung round the village street it nearly passed over little Ford coming opposite direction

Von Bork walked slowly back study last gleams motor lamps had faded distance As he passed he observed that his old housekeeper had put out her lamp and retired new experience to him, the silence and darkness widespread house family and household large one relief to him, however, were all in safety , but one old woman who had lingered kitchen, he had the whole place to himself of tidying up inside his study and he set himself until his keen, handsome face was flushed heat burning papers leather valise stood beside his table, and he began to pack very neatly and systematically the precious contents safe He had hardly got started work, however, when his quick ears caught the sound of distant car Instantly an exclamation of satisfaction, strapped up the valise, shut the safe, locked it, and hurried out on terrace just the lights of small car come to halt gate passenger sprang out of it and advanced swiftly towards him, while the chauffeur, heavily built, elderly man with gray moustache, settled down like one who resigns himself to long vigil

"Well ? " asked Von Bork eagerly, running forward to meet his visitor

For answer the man waved small brown-paper parcel triumphantly above his head

" me the glad hand to-night, mister," he cried "I'm bringing home the bacon at last "

"The signals ? "

"Same as in my cable Every last , semaphore, lamp code, Marconi- copy, mind you, not the original That was too dangerous But it's the real goods, and lay " He slapped the German shoulder with rough familiarity the other winced

"Come in," "I'm all alone house only waiting copy is better original If an original were missing change the whole thing it's all safe copy ? "

The Irish-American had entered the study and stretched his long limbs armchair tall, gaunt man of sixty, with clear-cut features and small goatee beard which gave him general resemblance caricatures of Uncle Sam half-smoked, sodden cigar hung corner mouth, and as he sat down he struck match and relit it "Making ready for move ? " he remarked as he looked round him "Say, mister," he added, as his eyes fell safe the curtain was now removed, "you don't tell me you keep your papers ? "

" ? "

"Gosh, in wide-open contraption like that ! reckon you some spy Why, Yankee crook into that with can-opener If I'd known that any letter was goin' to lie loose in thing like that I'd mug to write at all "

"It would puzzle any crook to force that safe," Von Bork answered "You won't cut that metal with any tool "

"But the lock ? "

"No, it's double combination lock what ? "

"Search me," said the American

"Well, word as set of figures get the lock to work " He rose and showed double-radiating disc round the keyhole "This other one is letters, the inner one figures "

"Well, well, that's fine "

"So it's not quite as simple thought four that I had it made, and what I chose word and figures ? "

"It's beyond me "

"Well, I chose August word, and 1914 figures, and here "

The American's face showed his surprise and admiration

"My, but that was smart ! You had it down to fine thing "

"Yes, few of us even then guessed the date Here , and I'm shutting down to-morrow morning "