battleship of the _Neptune_
class (the improved _Dreadnought_ type), with many marginal notes in
German in a feminine hand.

In an instant the astounding truth became plain to me. The Baronne, who
was in von Rausch's employ, had no doubt surreptitiously obtained the
original from Mr. Henry Seymour's despatch-box, it having been sent down
to him to Edgcott for his approval.

A most important British naval secret was, I saw, in the hands of the
clever spies of the Kaiser!

I made no remark, for in presence of those men was I not helpless?

They took the tracing in the house, and for half an hour held carousal
in celebration of their success.

Presently Brackenbury came forth to me and said:

"The Colonel is going to Harwich this evening, and you must drive him.
The boat for the 'Hook' leaves at half-past ten, I think."

"Very well, sir," I replied, with apparent indifference. "I shall be
quite ready."

At seven we started, von Rausch and I, and until darkness fell I drove
eastward, when at last we found ourselves in Ipswich.

Suddenly, close to the White Horse Hotel and within hailing distance of
a police-constable, I brought the car to a dead stop, and turning to the
German, who was seated beside me, said in as quiet a tone as I could:

"Colonel von Rausch, I'll just trouble you to hand over to me the
tracing you and your friends have stolen from Mr. Henry Seymour--the
details of the new battleship about to be built at Chatham."

"What do you mean?" cried the spy. "Drive on, you fool. I have no time
to lose."

"I wish for that tracing," I said, whipping out the revolver I always
carried. "Give it to me."

"What next!" he laughed, in open defiance. "Who are you, a mere servant,
that you should dictate to me?"

"I'm an Englishman!" I replied. "And I'll not allow you to take that
secret to your employers in Berlin."

The Colonel glanced round in some confusion. He was evidently averse to
a scene in that open street.

"Come into the hotel yonder," he said. "We can discuss the matter
there."

"It admits of no discussion," I said firmly. "You will hand me the
tracing over which you have so ingeniously deceived me, or I shall call
the constable yonder and have you detained while we communicate with the
Admiralty."

"Drive on, I tell you," he cried in anger. "Don't be an ass!"

"I am not a fool," I answered. "Give me that tracing."

"Never."

I turned and whistled to the constable, who had already not