CHAPTER XVSOLVEDFay valued his liberty too highly to turn back and search for the reason of the inaction of MacKeenon and Sir Richard Colstrom.“This way,â€� he said to Saidee Isaacs as he pointed toward a gravel-strewn roadway which wound around a red brick house. “Follow me and we’ll work west where they can’t find us.â€�“But—â€� she said, turning and looking back.“No, come on! There may be a trick in the way they acted.â€�She followed him reluctantly. The thought had come to her that they were leaving something unanswered in the House of the Two Lions. She turned for a second time and sought it out. It showed dark and unimposing through the dew-laden branches of the trees.Fay urged her on. Their progress after the girl’s second back glance was a dodging one wherein he took every precaution. There were Bobbies about. Sir Richard had the entire night force of Scotland Yard to unleash upon their trail. The braying of the runners out of Vine Street might be heard at any moment.Finally, as they stopped by a fern-covered crescent, a whistle shrilled which drove them into the shelter of a clump of box-wood. The silver notes wererepeated. They rang the air. They paled the girl’s olive cheeks. She glanced eastward as if seeking protection from Sir Richard.Turning toward Fay, she moved her lips inaudibly. He laughed with a sudden thought. The danger was only fancied.A four-wheeler with an ancient nag between the shafts, clattered around a square. It drew up under a low arc light and took aboard a passenger who replaced his whistle in the pocket of his mackintosh.“Two blasts,â€� explained Fay, “brings a deep-sea cab. One—a hansom!â€�She glanced up at a corner lamp and said:“Kentwater Road! I’m not going any further!â€�“Why?â€�She turned and stared toward the east. “Do you remember Sir Richard saying ‘Come here, Mac, come here?’â€�“Yes, I do.â€�“What did he mean by that? Why didn’t Mr. MacKeenon follow us? He could.â€�Fay hesitated. He went back over the scene in the great room where Saidee Isaacs had switched off the lights. “Yes, he could,â€� he admitted finally. “I wonder why he didn’t?â€�Her hand grasped his overcoat sleeve. “I believe they found the cipher-key! Don’t you see—they must have found it!â€�“They found something more important than us.â€�“We’re going back!â€�“No! I don’t think we had better do that.â€�“Yes we are, Chester. We’re going back and give ourselves up. Isn’t your freedom less than the key to the cipher? Think what it will do to the world. Think of the benefit of it.â€�“I’d like to know,â€� he admitted, staring in the direction of the House of the Two Lions. “I’d almost take a chance to find out.â€�“Come on back. We’ll soon know. It’s the only thing to do, Chester.â€�He felt her arm within his own. They retraced their steps. A motor car with H.M.S. plates dashed swiftly by them. A second car turned into the street upon which was the House of the Lions. It was evident that something of moment had happened. Fay thought he recognized a familiar figure in the tonneau of the first car. The man, whoever it was, held the steady poise of a prime minister.Fay stopped and drew Saidee Isaacs into the cove of a hedge. He glanced out and south along the street upon which was the House of the Lions. Three great motors stood there with their flaming electrics burning cones of fire in the night. A figure in tweed passed up the stairway and was admitted through the front door.“That may have been the Prime Minister,â€� said Saidee Isaacs.Fay stared upward at the leaden vault of the London sky. He was between two minds. The House of the Lions might be a cunningly-baited trap of the superior order.“Come on, Saidee,â€� he said, throwing away his lastresolve for safety. “We’ll go in the house. We’ll see Sir Richard. If it’s a trap—they’ll never give me another chance for a get-away.â€�She thrust her hands in the pockets of her skirt and leaned toward him.“I never knew Sir Richard to play false,â€� she said. “He’s too smart a man to do anything like that. I don’t think we needed to run away.â€�Fay arched his brows. He followed her down the sidewalk and turned with her into the pathway which led to the House of the Lions. He stood on the steps as she knocked lightly. The three motors were blocking the road. Their chauffeurs were huddled in the front seats waiting for orders. They all had the appearance of sincerity. Fay entered the door after the girl.Sir Richard beamed through the gloom of a half-illuminated hallway. “Ah, my runaways!â€� he chuckled. “Come right in! We’ve company of note tonight—a cracksman, a lady of class, a Prime Minister, an M. P. and the Secretary of the Home Office. I want you to meet them, Fay. They are terribly interested in how you found the secret of the German dye-cipher. You should have stayed until the discovery,â€� he added with cryptic smiling.Fay allowed the girl to precede him through the doorway which opened into the large room where stood three men who held themselves like Empire-builders. These men stared curiously at Sir Richard as he motioned for MacKeenon and the little Scotch detective to take places at the door.The chief of the investigation bureau rounded the table, drew up a chair and sat down. He leaned forward and fastened upon Saidee Isaacs and Fay the level scrutiny of a man who was vastly pleased with the turn of affairs. He rubbed his hands and beamed upon the company. In some manner, his strong jaw had softened. The bulges at the sides were not so prominent.“Germany,â€� he began speaking, “is checkmated. All that sad country knows about making dyes shall now be known to England and America. The secret is out!â€�The smaller member of the group of three men, whom Fay surmised was the Prime Minister who had fought Germany to a knock-out, stepped to the table and threw back the lid of the nearest tin box. He brought forth a sheet of paper between his steady, well-manicured fingers. He held it out with a smile.Sir Richard reached for this sheet as he darted a sly aside toward Fay.“We have here,â€� said the chief, “an ordinary piece of fairly good typewriting paper. It was made in Germany. It contains thirty-two lines of letters—grouped three letters together. They read ‘aaahhhsssaaacccstopxxxgggssstttstopmmmwww’ and so on. It has long been suspected that the cipher was written between the lines or on the back of the sheets. No chemical reaction that we tried brought any satisfactory result. We tried them all. It remained for chance to solve the puzzle in a satisfactory manner.â€�Sir Richard glanced at the cluster of lights thatbathed the room in white. He blinked and held out the sheet. He reached and picked up the pair of tinted goggles which MacKeenon had brought from the stable.“These glasses,â€� he said, “are not sufficiently opaque to answer the purpose. Fay,â€� he added with a twinkle, “you are to be complimented on your enterprise. Youtookthat safe, in the country north and east of here, like Haig took Cambrai. You held the secret. You lost it and gained it again. You threw it away and then thought better of the matter when you followed the cardsharper to see why he wore smoked-glasses. I know why he wore them!â€�“Why?â€� said Fay quickly.“Because he’s a genius in his own peculiar line. I hope to have the pleasure of sending him away sometime. With the kind of glasses he wears, no man is safe in a friendly poker game.â€�Fay stared at Saidee Isaacs. She crimsoned over the memory of the thirty-odd pounds she had lost to Harry Raymond.“I’d like to know how he does it?â€� she asked.Sir Richard laid the sheet of paper on the table. He tossed the tinted glasses to one side as he rose and pointed toward the snap-switch on the wainscoting.“Turn it off, Mac,â€� he said. “Put this room in complete darkness. Then we’ll all see the answer to the puzzle. It was too simple for the best cipher experts in the world to solve.â€�The inspector reached upward and snapped off the switch. The room was plunged into Stygian darkness.Fay widened his eyes and tried to make out details. There was a glow from the side windows which gradually brought out shadows.“Come here, Chester,â€� commanded Sir Richard. “Come around the table and stand by my side. Look over my shoulder and tell me what you see on the paper. Keep yours eyes shaded with your hands to shut out all light. Now, what d’you see?â€�Fay rounded the table and glided to Sir Richard’s side. He leaned over and strained his eyes as he stared blankly at the paper.He saw nothing but fine black lines at first. He cupped his palms and pressed them to his temples. He moved his head back and forth from the page.“Keep at it!â€� said Sir Richard with a positive chuckle.Fay strained his glance. He saw then the first white glow of fire which moved phosphorescently between the typed-lines. It steadied. It disappeared. It came again—this time more prominently.“Good God!â€� he exclaimed. “It’s there!â€�“Yes,â€� said Sir Richard. “Itisthere! What do you make out between the first and second line? Be careful, don’t touch the paper. That’s it—what do you make out?â€�“Werke-Maintz,â€� said Fay.“Go on—it reads easy after your eyes accustom themselves to the dark. What’s between the next lines of typing?â€�“Der est....Blau die....Alizarine....Sapphire.... H2SO4... HNO3—â€�“And the next?â€�“Carbanthrene Blau...?â€�“Yes, and indigo and all the fast colors are there. They are worked out to the minutest details and formulae. They throw the field wide open to the world. There will be no more secret dyes!â€�Sir Richard grasped Fay’s right arm and continued:“D’you see the trick, now? The trifle—lighter than any air? D’you see what baffled the cipher experts of four countries for two years?â€�“Yes, I see it, now,â€� said Fay. “The formulae are written in radium.â€�“Radium salt, which is white, upon white paper!â€� blurted Sir Richard. “The only way you couldeversee it—is in the dark!â€�Fay straightened his back. He tried to pierce the gloom in the direction of Saidee Isaacs. He glanced down at the table. The sheet of paper had been whisked away by Sir Richard, who placed it in the box.MacKeenon switched on the light. The room was filled with dazzling brilliancy. Sir Richard pointed to the sheath of cipher papers which were piled in the tin containers.“See anything there now?â€� he asked Fay.The cracksman passed his hand over his eyes and stared at the topmost sheet. The cipher-writing had vanished. The lines of letters, which had been typed for a blind, alone showed.“Now I know,â€� sad Fay, “how Ace-in-the-hole Harry worked the gulls on the passenger boats. Hewore heavy smoked glasses and marked the backs of the cards with phosphor or luminous paint. It was the same thing as putting the light out—as far as he was concerned.â€�“The trifles!â€� chuckled Sir Richard. “You threw Mononsonburg’s key away. Those glasses were thick enough and dark enough to read the writing on the sheets in daylight. The secrets of the German dyes are written between the lines by a fine pen dipped in radium salts.â€�The Prime Minister drew out a flat watch and consulted it. He turned toward two men high in the Government whom Sir Richard had called.“Gentlemen,â€� he said, “we must be going. Sir Richard has entertained us exceedingly. I’d sum the matter up by saying everything was tried except putting out the light. But then, who would have thought of so simple a thing as that?â€�Sir Richard nodded to Saidee Isaacs.“She thought of it!â€� he exclaimed. “The credit goes to her. I’ve no doubt she thought she was helping a pal—but she did more than that.â€�Fay thrust his hands into the side pockets of his coat and declared: “You’re right, Sir Richard! That little lady did us a good turn. I don’t see how Scotland Yard can get along without a woman inspector or two. I never heard anybody say that a member of the fair sex would overlook a trifle.â€�The Prime Minister was in the act of placing his hat on his head. He bowed, instead, and passed Saidee Isaacs as he stepped toward the door. He was followedby the silent members of his Government. The door remained open. The great motors throbbed with life. The clash of their gears woke echoes in the house as they started away.MacKeenon and the little old Scot remained in the doorway. They glanced at Fay and the girl. Their eyes swung toward Sir Richard, who had seated himself in the chair which was before the three cipher boxes.Keen-sniffing, the two detectives waited for the order. A chain clicked in the inspector’s side pocket. He shifted his weight to his right foot. He glanced for a second time at Sir Richard.“Mac!â€�MacKeenon started and stood erect.“Mac,â€� repeated Sir Richard. “Mac, you may take these three boxes, with the cipher solved, over to the big safe in Scotland Yard. Give them to Cragen, who will be responsible for them.â€�The inspector hesitated and glanced at Fay.“Go on, Mac!â€� said Sir Richard sternly. “Do what I say. You and Simpson shall guard them over. Leave me alone with Fay and the girl. Shut the door when you go out.â€�Fay watched the two baffled Scots lift the tin boxes, cram them under their arms and start down the hallway. The door slammed. MacKeenon, in passing, had kicked it with his foot.Saidee Isaacs bobbed her hat and flashed a glance at the door. She turned and walked toward Sir Richard. She paused and stood in the center of the room. Thechief of the Criminal Investigation Division had dropped his chin on his breast in an attitude of profound abstraction.Fay softly moved to the girl’s side. The two remained silent and thoughtful over the period of a long minute. They watched Sir Richard like quick-witted children. Their eyes, although different in color, contained the same steady stare.“You were a fool,â€� suddenly said the chief without lifting his chin. “You blundered and blundered and blundered, Fay. You did everything wrong. And yet everything wrong came out all right in the end. I think I’ll have to both condemn and praise you.â€�Saidee Isaacs took one quick step toward the table. Fay stopped her with a reaching arm. There was a quizzical smile on the cracksman’s face. He had read Sir Richard aright.“I think—â€� started the chief of the investigation division, “I think that you are just a bad boy grown up.â€�Sir Richard sat bolt upright. He leveled a steady finger across the polished surface of the table.“You’re a fool in a fool’s paradise. You can’t move contrary to fifty million people, and get away with it. There is a place for such who break the laws—a house with a Thousand Doors! What have you got to say, Fay? Do you want to go back to Dartmoor—or do you square it?â€�Fay reached upward, fingered his lapel and removed the little silver greyhound. He tossed it to the tablewith a quick jerk of his wrist. He stood with folded arms.“I’m ready to go,â€� he said, “if you won’t trust me—, all the time!â€�The chief’s eyes narrowed to slits of steel. His fingers reached across the table and snatched up the insignia of the King’s couriers.“Come here,â€� he said to Saidee Isaacs.She glanced at Fay, then moved around the table and stood at Sir Richard’s side.“You may take this trifle of esteem and fasten it upon Chester’s lapel, again,â€� the chief said. “We always have a place for men like him.â€�Fay overheard the order and stepped swiftly forward.“I’ll take it,â€� he said, “on one promise. Just one!â€�“And what is that promise I’m to give?â€� asked Sir Richard smilingly.“On your solemn word that you’ll trust me next time you send me out on a mission.â€�“My word for that, Chester. You’re too high-spirited to lead the life you were leading. You’ll have your chance now. The war is over—peace has been signed—but England and your country are just coming into their own. Look at Mesopotamia and Arabia and Africa—look at Russia and the Balkans. We’ve got to send men there for certain purposes. You’ll do nicely! There’s no better commission in the world than the one I offer you. It’s free-lancing!â€�“I’ll take it,â€� said Fay.Saidee Isaacs glided forward and pinned the little silver greyhound back on his left lapel. She stepped away with her head thrown high.Sir Richard leaned over the table. “There’s moderate expenses goes with that,â€� he said. “Now you’ll be getting salutes from the Bow Street runners instead of dodging them. Are you satisfied with the turn of affairs?â€�Fay smiled as he hooked his arm with Saidee Isaacs. “We’re going now,â€� he said. “I’ll report tomorrow. I’ll be subject to your call in all cases except putting men in prisons—I draw a line at that—Sir Richard.â€�“Good-by!â€� boomed the chief. “Good-by, Saidee! See that he watches his step!â€�Fay opened the door and led her down the hallway. They stood on the porch between the lions. They passed down the gravel walk.Turning and glancing back, she said:“Sir Richard is a gentleman!â€�Fay raised his left hand and fingered the little silver greyhound. He was silent as he led her northward and then toward the West End of London. They both heard the chimes of Big Ben on the House of Parliament. Its notes were striking over the housetops of the city.They passed through deep aisles of yews and poplars and sturdy English oaks. They reached Rose Crescent and the road which led to the river. Their arms were linked as a policeman stepped out from a clump of box-wood and eyed them intently.Fay saluted with his left hand to his plaid cap. The “Bobbyâ€� stood with his great red palms on his knees. He smiled slowly—broadly.They vanished in the gloom of Rose Crescent—merged as one. The Bobby sighed. He could not have drawn down a fairer picture of contentment had he called upon the highest stars.THE END
Fay valued his liberty too highly to turn back and search for the reason of the inaction of MacKeenon and Sir Richard Colstrom.
“This way,� he said to Saidee Isaacs as he pointed toward a gravel-strewn roadway which wound around a red brick house. “Follow me and we’ll work west where they can’t find us.�
“But—â€� she said, turning and looking back.
“No, come on! There may be a trick in the way they acted.�
She followed him reluctantly. The thought had come to her that they were leaving something unanswered in the House of the Two Lions. She turned for a second time and sought it out. It showed dark and unimposing through the dew-laden branches of the trees.
Fay urged her on. Their progress after the girl’s second back glance was a dodging one wherein he took every precaution. There were Bobbies about. Sir Richard had the entire night force of Scotland Yard to unleash upon their trail. The braying of the runners out of Vine Street might be heard at any moment.
Finally, as they stopped by a fern-covered crescent, a whistle shrilled which drove them into the shelter of a clump of box-wood. The silver notes wererepeated. They rang the air. They paled the girl’s olive cheeks. She glanced eastward as if seeking protection from Sir Richard.
Turning toward Fay, she moved her lips inaudibly. He laughed with a sudden thought. The danger was only fancied.
A four-wheeler with an ancient nag between the shafts, clattered around a square. It drew up under a low arc light and took aboard a passenger who replaced his whistle in the pocket of his mackintosh.
“Two blasts,â€� explained Fay, “brings a deep-sea cab. One—a hansom!â€�
She glanced up at a corner lamp and said:
“Kentwater Road! I’m not going any further!�
“Why?�
She turned and stared toward the east. “Do you remember Sir Richard saying ‘Come here, Mac, come here?’�
“Yes, I do.�
“What did he mean by that? Why didn’t Mr. MacKeenon follow us? He could.�
Fay hesitated. He went back over the scene in the great room where Saidee Isaacs had switched off the lights. “Yes, he could,� he admitted finally. “I wonder why he didn’t?�
Her hand grasped his overcoat sleeve. “I believe they found the cipher-key! Don’t you see—they must have found it!â€�
“They found something more important than us.�
“We’re going back!�
“No! I don’t think we had better do that.�
“Yes we are, Chester. We’re going back and give ourselves up. Isn’t your freedom less than the key to the cipher? Think what it will do to the world. Think of the benefit of it.�
“I’d like to know,� he admitted, staring in the direction of the House of the Two Lions. “I’d almost take a chance to find out.�
“Come on back. We’ll soon know. It’s the only thing to do, Chester.�
He felt her arm within his own. They retraced their steps. A motor car with H.M.S. plates dashed swiftly by them. A second car turned into the street upon which was the House of the Lions. It was evident that something of moment had happened. Fay thought he recognized a familiar figure in the tonneau of the first car. The man, whoever it was, held the steady poise of a prime minister.
Fay stopped and drew Saidee Isaacs into the cove of a hedge. He glanced out and south along the street upon which was the House of the Lions. Three great motors stood there with their flaming electrics burning cones of fire in the night. A figure in tweed passed up the stairway and was admitted through the front door.
“That may have been the Prime Minister,� said Saidee Isaacs.
Fay stared upward at the leaden vault of the London sky. He was between two minds. The House of the Lions might be a cunningly-baited trap of the superior order.
“Come on, Saidee,â€� he said, throwing away his lastresolve for safety. “We’ll go in the house. We’ll see Sir Richard. If it’s a trap—they’ll never give me another chance for a get-away.â€�
She thrust her hands in the pockets of her skirt and leaned toward him.
“I never knew Sir Richard to play false,� she said. “He’s too smart a man to do anything like that. I don’t think we needed to run away.�
Fay arched his brows. He followed her down the sidewalk and turned with her into the pathway which led to the House of the Lions. He stood on the steps as she knocked lightly. The three motors were blocking the road. Their chauffeurs were huddled in the front seats waiting for orders. They all had the appearance of sincerity. Fay entered the door after the girl.
Sir Richard beamed through the gloom of a half-illuminated hallway. “Ah, my runaways!â€� he chuckled. “Come right in! We’ve company of note tonight—a cracksman, a lady of class, a Prime Minister, an M. P. and the Secretary of the Home Office. I want you to meet them, Fay. They are terribly interested in how you found the secret of the German dye-cipher. You should have stayed until the discovery,â€� he added with cryptic smiling.
Fay allowed the girl to precede him through the doorway which opened into the large room where stood three men who held themselves like Empire-builders. These men stared curiously at Sir Richard as he motioned for MacKeenon and the little Scotch detective to take places at the door.
The chief of the investigation bureau rounded the table, drew up a chair and sat down. He leaned forward and fastened upon Saidee Isaacs and Fay the level scrutiny of a man who was vastly pleased with the turn of affairs. He rubbed his hands and beamed upon the company. In some manner, his strong jaw had softened. The bulges at the sides were not so prominent.
“Germany,� he began speaking, “is checkmated. All that sad country knows about making dyes shall now be known to England and America. The secret is out!�
The smaller member of the group of three men, whom Fay surmised was the Prime Minister who had fought Germany to a knock-out, stepped to the table and threw back the lid of the nearest tin box. He brought forth a sheet of paper between his steady, well-manicured fingers. He held it out with a smile.
Sir Richard reached for this sheet as he darted a sly aside toward Fay.
“We have here,â€� said the chief, “an ordinary piece of fairly good typewriting paper. It was made in Germany. It contains thirty-two lines of letters—grouped three letters together. They read ‘aaahhhsssaaacccstopxxxgggssstttstopmmmwww’ and so on. It has long been suspected that the cipher was written between the lines or on the back of the sheets. No chemical reaction that we tried brought any satisfactory result. We tried them all. It remained for chance to solve the puzzle in a satisfactory manner.â€�
Sir Richard glanced at the cluster of lights thatbathed the room in white. He blinked and held out the sheet. He reached and picked up the pair of tinted goggles which MacKeenon had brought from the stable.
“These glasses,� he said, “are not sufficiently opaque to answer the purpose. Fay,� he added with a twinkle, “you are to be complimented on your enterprise. Youtookthat safe, in the country north and east of here, like Haig took Cambrai. You held the secret. You lost it and gained it again. You threw it away and then thought better of the matter when you followed the cardsharper to see why he wore smoked-glasses. I know why he wore them!�
“Why?� said Fay quickly.
“Because he’s a genius in his own peculiar line. I hope to have the pleasure of sending him away sometime. With the kind of glasses he wears, no man is safe in a friendly poker game.�
Fay stared at Saidee Isaacs. She crimsoned over the memory of the thirty-odd pounds she had lost to Harry Raymond.
“I’d like to know how he does it?� she asked.
Sir Richard laid the sheet of paper on the table. He tossed the tinted glasses to one side as he rose and pointed toward the snap-switch on the wainscoting.
“Turn it off, Mac,� he said. “Put this room in complete darkness. Then we’ll all see the answer to the puzzle. It was too simple for the best cipher experts in the world to solve.�
The inspector reached upward and snapped off the switch. The room was plunged into Stygian darkness.Fay widened his eyes and tried to make out details. There was a glow from the side windows which gradually brought out shadows.
“Come here, Chester,� commanded Sir Richard. “Come around the table and stand by my side. Look over my shoulder and tell me what you see on the paper. Keep yours eyes shaded with your hands to shut out all light. Now, what d’you see?�
Fay rounded the table and glided to Sir Richard’s side. He leaned over and strained his eyes as he stared blankly at the paper.
He saw nothing but fine black lines at first. He cupped his palms and pressed them to his temples. He moved his head back and forth from the page.
“Keep at it!� said Sir Richard with a positive chuckle.
Fay strained his glance. He saw then the first white glow of fire which moved phosphorescently between the typed-lines. It steadied. It disappeared. It came again—this time more prominently.
“Good God!� he exclaimed. “It’s there!�
“Yes,â€� said Sir Richard. “Itisthere! What do you make out between the first and second line? Be careful, don’t touch the paper. That’s it—what do you make out?â€�
“Werke-Maintz,� said Fay.
“Go on—it reads easy after your eyes accustom themselves to the dark. What’s between the next lines of typing?â€�
“Der est....Blau die....Alizarine....Sapphire.... H2SO4... HNO3—â€�
“And the next?�
“Carbanthrene Blau...?�
“Yes, and indigo and all the fast colors are there. They are worked out to the minutest details and formulae. They throw the field wide open to the world. There will be no more secret dyes!�
Sir Richard grasped Fay’s right arm and continued:
“D’you see the trick, now? The trifle—lighter than any air? D’you see what baffled the cipher experts of four countries for two years?â€�
“Yes, I see it, now,� said Fay. “The formulae are written in radium.�
“Radium salt, which is white, upon white paper!â€� blurted Sir Richard. “The only way you couldeversee it—is in the dark!â€�
Fay straightened his back. He tried to pierce the gloom in the direction of Saidee Isaacs. He glanced down at the table. The sheet of paper had been whisked away by Sir Richard, who placed it in the box.
MacKeenon switched on the light. The room was filled with dazzling brilliancy. Sir Richard pointed to the sheath of cipher papers which were piled in the tin containers.
“See anything there now?� he asked Fay.
The cracksman passed his hand over his eyes and stared at the topmost sheet. The cipher-writing had vanished. The lines of letters, which had been typed for a blind, alone showed.
“Now I know,â€� sad Fay, “how Ace-in-the-hole Harry worked the gulls on the passenger boats. Hewore heavy smoked glasses and marked the backs of the cards with phosphor or luminous paint. It was the same thing as putting the light out—as far as he was concerned.â€�
“The trifles!� chuckled Sir Richard. “You threw Mononsonburg’s key away. Those glasses were thick enough and dark enough to read the writing on the sheets in daylight. The secrets of the German dyes are written between the lines by a fine pen dipped in radium salts.�
The Prime Minister drew out a flat watch and consulted it. He turned toward two men high in the Government whom Sir Richard had called.
“Gentlemen,� he said, “we must be going. Sir Richard has entertained us exceedingly. I’d sum the matter up by saying everything was tried except putting out the light. But then, who would have thought of so simple a thing as that?�
Sir Richard nodded to Saidee Isaacs.
“She thought of it!â€� he exclaimed. “The credit goes to her. I’ve no doubt she thought she was helping a pal—but she did more than that.â€�
Fay thrust his hands into the side pockets of his coat and declared: “You’re right, Sir Richard! That little lady did us a good turn. I don’t see how Scotland Yard can get along without a woman inspector or two. I never heard anybody say that a member of the fair sex would overlook a trifle.�
The Prime Minister was in the act of placing his hat on his head. He bowed, instead, and passed Saidee Isaacs as he stepped toward the door. He was followedby the silent members of his Government. The door remained open. The great motors throbbed with life. The clash of their gears woke echoes in the house as they started away.
MacKeenon and the little old Scot remained in the doorway. They glanced at Fay and the girl. Their eyes swung toward Sir Richard, who had seated himself in the chair which was before the three cipher boxes.
Keen-sniffing, the two detectives waited for the order. A chain clicked in the inspector’s side pocket. He shifted his weight to his right foot. He glanced for a second time at Sir Richard.
“Mac!�
MacKeenon started and stood erect.
“Mac,� repeated Sir Richard. “Mac, you may take these three boxes, with the cipher solved, over to the big safe in Scotland Yard. Give them to Cragen, who will be responsible for them.�
The inspector hesitated and glanced at Fay.
“Go on, Mac!� said Sir Richard sternly. “Do what I say. You and Simpson shall guard them over. Leave me alone with Fay and the girl. Shut the door when you go out.�
Fay watched the two baffled Scots lift the tin boxes, cram them under their arms and start down the hallway. The door slammed. MacKeenon, in passing, had kicked it with his foot.
Saidee Isaacs bobbed her hat and flashed a glance at the door. She turned and walked toward Sir Richard. She paused and stood in the center of the room. Thechief of the Criminal Investigation Division had dropped his chin on his breast in an attitude of profound abstraction.
Fay softly moved to the girl’s side. The two remained silent and thoughtful over the period of a long minute. They watched Sir Richard like quick-witted children. Their eyes, although different in color, contained the same steady stare.
“You were a fool,� suddenly said the chief without lifting his chin. “You blundered and blundered and blundered, Fay. You did everything wrong. And yet everything wrong came out all right in the end. I think I’ll have to both condemn and praise you.�
Saidee Isaacs took one quick step toward the table. Fay stopped her with a reaching arm. There was a quizzical smile on the cracksman’s face. He had read Sir Richard aright.
“I think—â€� started the chief of the investigation division, “I think that you are just a bad boy grown up.â€�
Sir Richard sat bolt upright. He leveled a steady finger across the polished surface of the table.
“You’re a fool in a fool’s paradise. You can’t move contrary to fifty million people, and get away with it. There is a place for such who break the laws—a house with a Thousand Doors! What have you got to say, Fay? Do you want to go back to Dartmoor—or do you square it?â€�
Fay reached upward, fingered his lapel and removed the little silver greyhound. He tossed it to the tablewith a quick jerk of his wrist. He stood with folded arms.
“I’m ready to go,â€� he said, “if you won’t trust me—, all the time!â€�
The chief’s eyes narrowed to slits of steel. His fingers reached across the table and snatched up the insignia of the King’s couriers.
“Come here,� he said to Saidee Isaacs.
She glanced at Fay, then moved around the table and stood at Sir Richard’s side.
“You may take this trifle of esteem and fasten it upon Chester’s lapel, again,� the chief said. “We always have a place for men like him.�
Fay overheard the order and stepped swiftly forward.
“I’ll take it,� he said, “on one promise. Just one!�
“And what is that promise I’m to give?� asked Sir Richard smilingly.
“On your solemn word that you’ll trust me next time you send me out on a mission.�
“My word for that, Chester. You’re too high-spirited to lead the life you were leading. You’ll have your chance now. The war is over—peace has been signed—but England and your country are just coming into their own. Look at Mesopotamia and Arabia and Africa—look at Russia and the Balkans. We’ve got to send men there for certain purposes. You’ll do nicely! There’s no better commission in the world than the one I offer you. It’s free-lancing!â€�
“I’ll take it,� said Fay.
Saidee Isaacs glided forward and pinned the little silver greyhound back on his left lapel. She stepped away with her head thrown high.
Sir Richard leaned over the table. “There’s moderate expenses goes with that,� he said. “Now you’ll be getting salutes from the Bow Street runners instead of dodging them. Are you satisfied with the turn of affairs?�
Fay smiled as he hooked his arm with Saidee Isaacs. “We’re going now,â€� he said. “I’ll report tomorrow. I’ll be subject to your call in all cases except putting men in prisons—I draw a line at that—Sir Richard.â€�
“Good-by!� boomed the chief. “Good-by, Saidee! See that he watches his step!�
Fay opened the door and led her down the hallway. They stood on the porch between the lions. They passed down the gravel walk.
Turning and glancing back, she said:
“Sir Richard is a gentleman!�
Fay raised his left hand and fingered the little silver greyhound. He was silent as he led her northward and then toward the West End of London. They both heard the chimes of Big Ben on the House of Parliament. Its notes were striking over the housetops of the city.
They passed through deep aisles of yews and poplars and sturdy English oaks. They reached Rose Crescent and the road which led to the river. Their arms were linked as a policeman stepped out from a clump of box-wood and eyed them intently.
Fay saluted with his left hand to his plaid cap. The “Bobbyâ€� stood with his great red palms on his knees. He smiled slowly—broadly.
They vanished in the gloom of Rose Crescent—merged as one. The Bobby sighed. He could not have drawn down a fairer picture of contentment had he called upon the highest stars.
THE END