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Chapter 9
Themanwhocamehereandhisconfederatesmustbetaken,andtakenatonce.”
“GoodGod,”Icried,“andwehavenotaragofaclue.”
“Besides,”saidWhittaker,“thereisthepost.Bythistimethenewswillbeonitsway.”
“No,”saidtheFrenchman.“Youdonotunderstandthehabitsofthespy.Hereceivespersonallyhisreward,andhedeliverspersonallyhisintelligence.WeinFranceknowsomethingofthebreed.Thereisstillachance,mesamis.Thesemenmustcrossthesea,andthereareshipstobesearchedandportstobewatched.Believeme,theneedisdesperateforbothFranceandBritain.”
Royer’sgravegoodsenseseemedtopullustogether.Hewasthemanofactionamongfumblers.ButIsawnohopeinanyface,andIfeltnone.WhereamongthefiftymillionsoftheseislandsandwithinadozenhourswerewetolayhandsonthethreecleverestroguesinEurope?
ThensuddenlyIhadaninspiration.
“WhereisScudder’sbook?”IcriedtoSirWalter.“Quick,man,Iremembersomethinginit.”
Heunlockedthedoorofabureauandgaveittome.
Ifoundtheplace.“Thirty-ninesteps,”Iread,andagain,“Thirty-ninesteps—Icountedthem—Hightide,10.17p.m.”
TheAdmiraltymanwaslookingatmeasifhethoughtIhadgonemad.
“Don’tyouseeit’saclue,”Ishouted.“Scudderknewwherethesefellowslaired—heknewwheretheyweregoingtoleavethecountry,thoughhekeptthenametohimself.Tomorrowwastheday,anditwassomeplacewherehightidewasat10.17.
