he's almost certain to be hidden somewhere near No. 4
shed. But be careful of the police; they are very watchful over yonder."

And after refastening the gate she disappeared into the darkness.

In the deep shadows we both crept noiselessly forward, negotiating in
safety a pair of lock-gates in the open, and pursuing our way until in
the vicinity of the shed which the Admiral's daughter had pointed out we
discovered an old boiler, in which we both secreted ourselves.

Hardly had we crept inside when we heard the measured tramp of a
policeman, who passed actually within a few feet of us. From the round
hole in which we lay we could see Gosport--a pale row of lamps across
the harbour.

We waited there, scarcely daring to whisper, until at last the clock
struck one. If Karff was in the vicinity of that shed beside which we
were secreted, he made no sign. All was silent. Once the shrill siren of
a ship out at Spithead broke the quiet. Then its echoes died away.

"I really think we might have a careful look round," Ray suggested after
a long silence.

With great care, therefore, we both emerged from our hiding-place, and
keeping well within the shadows, passed round shed No. 4, which we found
was completely closed in from view, its door being strongly barred and
padlocked.

Unable to see anything, we decided to halt in the darkness behind a heap
of scrap-iron and to listen for any sound of movement.

The cutting wind chilled us both to the marrow, for a white rime had
gathered on the ground. The only sound we heard was that of the measured
footsteps of another constable, which advanced and then died away again.
There was, however, no sign of the German spy.

"To get in by the door yonder would be impossible. Therefore, he would
try the roof," my companion remarked.

"You're right," I said. "You remain down here and watch while I try and
get up above."

So I left him, and after considerable difficulty succeeded in gaining
the roof of the shed adjoining, crouching in the gutter between the
sloping roofs of the two sheds.

On each side of me sloped upwards skylights which lighted the interiors
of the building-sheds, but all were thickly coated with a composition of
dockyard dust and soot, which had been poured forth from many a
warship's funnel as well as from the dozens of furnaces around. All was
dark below; therefore I could see nothing.

I had been in my elevated position for fully twenty minutes before I was