The man shook his head.

"Such things are never transmitted in that way."

Jack's heart bounded with relief.

"Well, would n't that be a reason for attempting it?"

"I should be happy to know that the plans were on their way to the post
office in St. Petersburg," shrugging his shoulders. "They would soon
be on their return journey--and not by mail."

"Oh," cried Armitage, suddenly remembering his conversation with
Thornton. "I think I can put you in the way of recovering your stolen
plans." Thereupon he told of the capture of Yeasky and of the papers
taken from him, already in the keeping of the secret service men in
Boston.

As he spoke Turnecki leaned forward, his eyes blazing, uttering subdued
German exclamations. When Armitage had concluded he sprang forward and
seized Jack by the hand and then after the manner of his country,
kissed him on the cheek.

"A thousand thanks!" he cried. "My servitude ends now; for when
Koltsoff awakens I shall be _en route_ for Boston. You said that you
would send on an order for their delivery."

"Yes, I 'll write that now--and then I 'll tell you what you can do for
me. Of course, you understand that the secret service chaps will
require the Austrian Consul to vouch for you."

"Oh, I understand that, of course," said the man.

"All right." Armitage took his fountain pen from his coat lying on the
bed and leaned across the bureau, about to write, when he abruptly laid
the pen down and half closed his eyes. Some new thought seemed filling
his mind and moving him deeply.

"Just a second," he said at length. He walked across the room, jerked
the towel from the lamp, gazed closely at the man for an instant, and
then with an exclamation continued to the door, which he locked,
placing the key in his pocket. Returning he stood directly in front of
the man, who had arisen.

"Well," he said, "of all fools, commend me! How do you feel, Yeasky,
with your beard off and wig on; your German dialect and your painted
scar?"

The man looked at Armitage with face utterly expressionless.

"You are mistaken," he said.

"Am I?" sneered Jack. "I have been mistaken so far as you are
concerned several times in the past." He laughed grimly. "But not
this time, old boy. Come, pass out that control."

"I have n't it."

"You lie. Take off your coat."

Yeasky deliberately divested himself of his coat and threw it at Jack's
feet. Then he slapped all his pockets.

"You