tible to flattery, for he became genial again.

"It is the greatest scheme that has ever been known to science. It is
the most colossal crime--I suppose they will call it a crime--that has
ever been committed."

"But how are you going to get your code word away? The telegraphs are in
the hands of the Government and I think you will find it difficult even
if you have a secret wireless."

"Wireless, bah!" he said scornfully. "I never expected to send it by
telegraph with or without wires. I have a much surer way, fraeulein, as
you will see."

"But how will you escape?" she asked.

"I shall leave England to-morrow, soon after daybreak," he replied,
with assurance, "by aeroplane, a long-distance flying-machine will land
on my Sussex farm which will have British markings--indeed, it is
already in England, and I and my good Bridgers will pass your coast
without trouble."

He peered out of the window.

"This is Horsham, I think," he said, as they swept through what appeared
to the girl to be a square. "That little building on the left is the
railway station. You will see the signal lamps in a moment. My farm is
about five miles down the Shoreham Road."

He was in an excellent temper as they passed through the old town and
mounted the hill which leads to Shoreham, was politeness itself when the
car had turned off the main road and had bumped over cart tracks to the
door of a large building.

"This is your last escapade, Miss Cresswell, or Mrs. Beale I suppose I
should call you," he said jovially, as he pushed her before him into a
room where supper had been laid for two. "You see, you were not
expected, but you shall have Bridgers'. It will be daylight in two
hours," he said inconsequently, "you must have some wine."

She shook her head with a smile, and he laughed as if the implied
suspicion of her refusal was the best joke in the world.

"Nein, nein, little friend," he said, "I shall not doctor you again. My
days of doctoring have passed."

She had expected to find the farm in occupation, but apparently they
were the only people there. The doctor had opened the door himself with
a key, and no servant had appeared, nor apparently did he expect them to
appear. She learnt afterwards that there were two farm servants, an old
man and his wife, who lived in a cottage on the estate and came in the
daytime to do the housework and prepare a cold supper against their
master's coming.

Bridgers did not make his appearan