was but
slight movement on the wharf to occupy his attention. And then
just before dark he had the further annoyance of learning that his
long-drawn-out misery had been unnecessary. He saw out in the river the
Girondin passing rapidly seawards.

Their plan then had failed. He was too weary to think consecutively
about it, but that much at least was clear. When Hilliard arrived some
five hours later, he had fallen into a state of partial coma, and
his friend had considerable trouble in rousing him to make the effort
necessary to leave his biding place with the requisite care and silence.

The next evening the two friends left Hull by a late train, and
reaching Leatham's house after dusk had fallen, were soon seated in his
smoking-room with whiskies and sodas at their elbows and Corona
Coronas in their mouths. All three were somewhat gloomy, and their
disappointment and chagrin were very real. Leatham was the first to put
their thoughts into words.

"Well," he said, drawing at his cigar, "I suppose we needn't say one
thing and think another. I take it our precious plan has failed?"

"That's about the size of it," Hilliard admitted grimly.

"Your man saw nothing?" Merriman inquired.

"He saw you," the mineowner returned. "He's a very dependable chap,
and I thought it would be wise to give him a hint that we suspected
something serious, so he kept a good watch. It seems when the ship came
alongside at Ferriby, Benson told the captain not to make fast as he
had to go further up the river. But the captain said he thought they had
better fill up with oil first, and he sent to consult the engineer, and
it was agreed that when they were in they might as well fill up as it
would save a call on the outward journey. Besides, no one concerned
was on for going up in the dark--there are sandbanks, you know, and the
navigation's bad. They gave Menzies a starboard deck cabin--that was on
the wharf side--and he sat watching the wharf through his porthole for
the entire night. There wasn't a thing unloaded, and there wasn't a
movement on the wharf until you two changed your watch. He saw that, and
it fairly thrilled him. After that not another thing happened until the
cook brought him some coffee and they got away."

"Pretty thorough," Hilliard commented. "It's at least a blessing to be
sure beyond a doubt nothing was unloaded."

"We're certain enough of that," Leatham went on, "and we're certain
of something else too. I arranged