e was a shelf of dummy books. He unlocked this and
revealed a small cupboard, whence he took a tin dispatch-box. From some
papers he selected one, which seemed to be already signed.

'Name?' he asked.

'Call me Hans Gruber of Brieg,' I said. 'I travel to pick up my master,
who is in the timber trade.'

'And your return?'

'I will come back by my old road,' I said mysteriously; and if he knew
what I meant it was more than I did myself.

He completed the paper and handed it to me. 'This will take you through
the frontier posts. And now for the car. The servants will be in bed,
for they have been preparing for a long journey, but I will myself show
it you. There is enough petrol on board to take you to Rome.'

He led me through the hall, unlocked the front door, and we crossed the
snowy lawn to the garage. The place was empty but for a great car,
which bore the marks of having come from the muddy lowlands. To my joy
I saw that it was a Daimler, a type with which I was familiar. I lit
the lamps, started the engine, and ran it out on to the road.

'You will want an overcoat,' he said.

'I never wear them.'

'Food?'

'I have some chocolate. I will breakfast at Santa Chiara.'

'Well, God go with you!'

A minute later I was tearing along the lake-side towards St Anton
village.

* * * * *

I stopped at the cottage on the hill. Peter was not yet in bed. I found
him sitting by the fire, trying to read, but I saw by his face that he
had been waiting anxiously on my coming.

'We're in the soup, old man,' I said as I shut the door. In a dozen
sentences I told him of the night's doings, of Ivery's plan and my
desperate errand.

'You wanted a share,' I cried. 'Well, everything depends on you now.
I'm off after Ivery, and God knows what will happen. Meantime, you have
got to get on to Blenkiron, and tell him what I've told you. He must
get the news through to G.H.Q. somehow. He must trap the Wild Birds
before they go. I don't know how, but he must. Tell him it's all up to
him and you, for I'm out of it. I must save Mary, and if God's willing
I'll settle with Ivery. But the big job is for Blenkiron--and you.
Somehow he has made a bad break, and the enemy has got ahead of him. He
must sweat blood to make up. My God, Peter, it's the solemnest moment
of our lives. I don't see any light, but we mustn't miss any chances.
I'm leaving it all to you.'

I spoke like a man in a fever, for