he spoke there was in his voice a note of
respect.

"Ah--it is worth considering. But how? The telegraph wires are now in my
possession--here in this district to Budweis--to Vienna----"

"Then why don't you use them?" asked Renwick bluntly.

Windt stood stock still a moment and then went quickly to the desk.

"Repeat that message to Budweis, to Gmund, to Altensteig and Absdorf.
Also cover the Bruenn road. It can do no harm," he said turning urbanely
to Renwick.

"Perhaps not," said Renwick dryly, "if the harm is not already done."

Together they listened to the clicking of the telegraph instrument. Half
an hour passed. Hadwiger returned with the machine. Spivak and Linder
came in from their fruitless search of the woods. The suspense was
unendurable. Renwick, forgetting his danger, paced the road outside
until a cry from Windt brought him into the office. The others were
leaning over the instrument while Windt spelled out the words,
"I-g-l-a-u t-w-o s-e-v-e-n-t-e-e-n G-e-r-m-a-n o-f-f-i-c-e-r a-n-d
w-i-f-e. G-r-e-e-n l-i-m-o-u-s-i-n-e p-a-s-s-e-d h-e-r-e t-e-n
m-i-n-u-t-e-s a-g-o f-o-r V-i-e-n-n-a."

"_Kollosaler Halunke!_" thundered Windt, his urbanity shattered to
shreds. "They have taken the other road. Here, Lengelbach, take this
quick. "Hold green motor-car man and woman." Send that to every
telegraph station between Bruenn and Danube. Relay all messages to
Budweis. I'm going there."

And turning quickly he went toward the automobile, with a sign to the
others to follow. Very politely he stood aside while Renwick entered,
and with one of the men climbed into the rear seat while the other two
got in front, Hadwiger driving at a furious pace. For a long time they
went in silence, Herr Windt sitting with folded arms, his brows tangled
in thought. To acknowledge that he had been outwitted had been galling,
but to let this English creature of pipe and monocle indicate, in the
presence of his own underlings, the precise means of his discomfiture
was bitter indeed. At last his lips mumbled vaguely.

"Still I do not understand," they said.

"A note wrapped around the coin," suggested Renwick.

"_Ach, so._ It is very probable. The simplest expedients are often the
most effective. Still it is remarkable that they have slipped through."

"The green limousine goes to Vienna," said Renwick.

Herr Windt had self-respect enough for a rather cynical smile.

"And after Vienna?" he asked.

Renwick shrugged.

"Tha