hauffeur to
meet us out on the Norwich road, after which we travelled to quaint old
Aylsham, where we idled away the day, spending the afternoon playing
billiards at the "White Horse."

More than once during the day my companion examined the road outside for
traces of wheel-tracks, but there were none like those of the car of
those secret agents of Hermann Hartmann.

I noticed that Ray had brought with him a small brown brief-bag, an
unusual thing for him to carry. But that morning he had placed it in the
car with instructions to the chauffeur to move it on no account.

At four o'clock that afternoon he received a telegram, which he read
through twice, and placed on the fire, remarking:

"From Vera. She's received the thanks of the Admiralty for her report.
They promise to make inquiry. Probably they'll send somebody over who
can't speak a word of German!"

We dined at half-past six off cold meat and pickles, but not until
midnight did we set out upon the road, travelling north in the direction
of Cromer, until we came to the cross roads at Hanworth, where we halted
and Ray got down to examine the road. Wheel-tracks were there leading
back to Roughton, and these we followed until, near the entrance to the
village, now in complete darkness, we descended, Ray lifting out his
precious bag.

"You've got your revolver?" he asked, when we had gone a hundred yards
or so.

I replied in the affirmative, for nowadays I always carried it.

"Well, we are going to get into that house at Roughton I pointed out to
you," he said. "I intend to have a look round."

"You mean to break in? Suppose we're caught!" I exclaimed.

"Bah! Spies are always cowards. Leave that to me."

So we went on until, having passed through the silent village, we
entered a road where the bare trees met overhead, rendering it almost
pitch-dark, and presently approached the house.

Not a light showed anywhere. Whoever were its occupants, they had
retired.

For nearly half an hour we concealed ourselves in the bushes opposite,
watching in patience, for the night was as yet young. In the distance we
fancied we heard the sound of wheels, but they did not advance;
therefore we agreed that it was only fancy.

After waiting what seemed to me hours, Ray switched on his electric lamp
to see the time. It was then nearly two o'clock, so we decided to take
another step forward.

We crossed the road and tried the iron gate. It was locked.

There was noth