Loeffler followed him across the bridge, bending to
the buffets ofthe gale.
If you reach the Koenigplatz you are safe,and
within fifty yards of your hotel. The Iron Hands know all about him, and dont
approve ofhim. I had a bit of a cross-country run, with several automatics behindme
to improve my speed.
I am the man Buerger who walked with you in the
woods atAndersbach a month ago. Your Excellency is not slow with your legs, for I
have seen you.
But he found the place ill suitedfor his
meditations.
He slipped down into the hold and had a look athis
adversary. The street certainlydid not look too respectable. The man in the
trench-waterproof glanced forward and saw that noone was in sight.
After that it was easy, and I emerged the
spruceParisian commis-voyageur you saw this afternoon. His head hit the bonnet of
one, and herolled over and lay quiet. Suddenly Loeffler raised himself from his
chair.
But he found the place ill suitedfor his
meditations. Ifthe Conference succeeded much of his task was done, and the restwas
in the lap of the gods. The street certainlydid not look too respectable. He
balanced the syringe in his palm, and then picked up the leathercase from the
bed.
Geraldine is coming down, andStannix, and that is
the party.
He asked what dark secret we were hiding. It was
piquant to be hunted by Loefflers own watch dogs,when I was trying my hand at the
same game.
Thechauffeur descended, and, after examination,
shook his head.
It has been a very educative time for all of us,
especiallyfor the P. Mr Upcott turned to find that two men had entered from the
adjacentsitting-room. Theres a new ghost haunting the west corridor, thewraith of an
elder of the kirk.
I had rather a difficult twelve hours till I
reached oneof my hidy-holes. How in thunder do you manage to keep so spry, Adam? Mr
Upcott lifted the bedside lamp and looked at the others face. He sees a little too
much of Creevey and hislot.
He glancedin at a window now and then, and saw ugly
heads bent over beer-mugs.
Only,till we reach England, his cabin door must be
kept locked.
But the Ministerdid not dine at the Hôtel
Splendide.
I had a bit of a cross-country run, with several
automatics behindme to improve my speed.
You had better leave England to-morrow orthere may
be trouble.
When the shots are fired we shall be abreast a
little slit of apassage. He glanced back once and saw the after-part of the
shipblotted out in a shroud of spray.