teps. The next instant Ferret and
his companions were covered by a revolver.

It was a naval guard-boat, the watchful eye of the officer in charge
having discovered what he took to be surreptitious signalling.
Explanations followed, and were accepted. Ferret, holding the
recovered prize, ascended the steps, followed by Ross and Vernon, while
the boat backed noiselessly away. It was but one more example of the
ceaseless vigilance of the great, silent Navy.

Almost dead-beat, Trefusis and his chum made their way to the hotel,
had supper, and went straight to bed. Ferret, they decided, could wait
until morning.

At 6 a.m. Hawke, having secured his release, arrived at Parkeston,
having engaged a motor-car to bring him from Manningtree. Already his
vindictiveness towards the military had vanished. He had taken a
sensible view of the situation. He had played and lost, and the staff
officer was justified in the circumstances. As for the soldiers, they
had to obey orders.

Nevertheless he was chagrined when he heard his confrere's report. It
was galling to think that their spy had outwitted him by taking his own
life. The whole energies of the two detectives must, for the present,
be concentrated upon the capture of the master-spy, Von Hauptwald,
otherwise Dr. Ramblethorne.

Ross and Vernon met Hawke again at breakfast. He was now quite
cheerful.

"You managed to get hold of von Ruhle so well," he remarked, "that I
think you really ought to bear a hand with friend Ramblethorne,--that
is, unless you've had enough of man-hunting?"

"We'll do our best," said Ross. "It's our duty."

"When do you start?" asked Vernon.

"Almost at once," he declared. "Ramblethorne might be alarmed if no
telegram arrives from his fellow-spy. Again, the man who communicated
with von Ruhle on the quay last night might have given Ramblethorne
warning. It's not at all surprising to me, since what you told us, Mr.
Trefusis, that there has been an alarming outbreak of enteric at St.
Bedal camp."

He turned over several pages of a complex timetable.

"Here we are," he announced. "We must get to Paddington in time to
catch the 10.20 for Wellington. One thing, young gentlemen, you'll be
nearly home. Ferret has arranged about the inquest on von Ruhle. Your
evidence will be taken down in writing, and in that case you won't have
to put in an appearance at that grim farce."

Hawke spoke feelingly and from experience. In his opin