That could all be arranged as it no doubt will be in due course, I said. The Government are not such fools as some people seem inclined to believe. Im not one of those who blame the whole Government for a few mistakes of its subordinate departments, and the incompetency of men pitchforked, in the hurry of an unexpected war, into places for which they are entirely unfitted. We all know of glaring cases of that sort. No. Lets take heart, and look on the best side of things. Britain is not vanquished yet, and the heart of the true Briton beats quicker and is fiercer than ever in its patriotism over the base enemy outrage of the kind that was committed upon innocent Londoners last night.
Only yesterday I was reading a popular book called Can Germany Win? written by an anonymous American, remarked Sir Herbert. The writer gaily informs the public that even well-directed rifle-fire can bring the vaunted Zeppelins down, and to secure any accuracy of aim themselves, the airships must descend to an altitude which brings them well within the range of modern guns.
I know! I laughed. The rubbish written about Zeppelins is simply ludicrous. Ive read that book, which has no doubt been read by thousands of patriotic Britons. I remember quite well that, in it, we are gravely informed that as far as Zeppelins were concerned the British public may sleep comfortably in their beds. The great thing is, we are urged, to discount as far as possible, by reason supported by scepticism, the terrorising tales of the Zeppelins worth and doughty prowess which are so brilliantly press-agented in Germany. The writer has further told us that talk never broke any bones, and the Germans are doing a good deal of talk at the present moment to hide the defects in their monster pets which have been detected as useless by the test of War. The Zeppelins, the writer told us, are comparatively negligible quantities. Last nights raid is the commentary.
Yes, said Roseye, something must really be done to prevent such raids.
But how? queried Lionel Eastwell across the table in that slow refined voice of his. Its all very well to talk like that but you must act.
Roseye and I again exchanged glances. She knew well what was passing in my mind.
And I remained silent.
Chapter Six
Theeds Strange Story
The following morning while I was writing letters in my room Theed entered, saying that his father had called and wished to see me.
A moment later the sturdy old ex-police-sergeant came in, his felt hat in his hand, and when I had sat him beside the fire I saw an unusual expression upon his grey, furrowed countenance.
Ive come up, sir, he said, because something curious appened at the shed lars night.
Happened whats happened? I asked, staring at him.
Well something I cant quite make out, sir. But I thought I ought to report at once.
Tell me, by all means, Theed, I said, instantly interested.
Well, sir. There were strangers about lars night.
Strangers! Who? I asked, recollecting Teddys allegations on the night of our successful test.
Well it was like this, Mr Munro, the old fellow began. I went on at nine oclock as usual, and met Harry there. We talked together about half an hour, and then he left. I ad a pipe in front o the stove and sat readin the war news as I always do. I expect I must ave dozed for a bit, but I woke up at eleven, ad another pipe and read a bit more of my paper. I heard Chiswick church-clock strike twelve, and then, after makin up the stove again, I ad another doze, as I generally do. Of a sudden I was woke up by hearin low whisperin. My lamp was out it ad gone out because I adnt much oil. But I was on the alert in a moment, for I saw the light of an electric torch a movin about at the other end of the shed, and two figures were a gropin about and whisperin. Ill swear one was a woman!
A woman! I gasped. What did you do?
I took up my bit o rubber tyre, bent down, and crept noiselessly along. It seemed as if they were examining those three electric coils, and were perhaps a tryin to find the box what
Happily, I took the precaution to bring it away yesterday afternoon, and have it here, in the next room, I interrupted.
Good. Excellent, sir! My idea is that they were after that there box. Im dead certain of it, old Theed said. Well, I bent well below the benches and nearly got up to em in order to flash my lamp, an so take em by surprise, when, of a sudden, somebody clipped me hard over the ead, and I knew nothing more till I awoke at daylight, and found this! he added, pointing to a spot on the back of his head upon which was a big lump and a large piece of black sticking-plaster.
Then there must have been a third person present eh?
There must! Hed evidently been a watchin me, and struck me down, just as I was a comin up to the pair with the torch.
You say you saw a woman. Did you also see the mans face?
No, I didnt. And I only knew that there was a woman there by the black fur she wore around her throat. I was right at the opposite end of the shed, remember, and I only saw er just for a second a biggish womans white face and the black fur.
You didnt see the person who knocked you down?
No, I didnt the cursed blackguard, was old Theeds quick reply. Had I seen him, Id ave given im a taste of my bit o rubber I tell yer. He wouldnt ave been sensible yet you bet!
But how did they get in? I asked, amazed at his story.
Get in? Why, they seem to ave ad a latch-key. At any rate they opened the door with a duplicate key that theyd got from somewhere. Theres no sign of em having broken in.
For a few moments I stood in silence, then Theeds son having called a taxi, I got in and took our faithful night-watchman down to Gunnersbury.
There, on the spot, he explained to me exactly what had occurred in the night, giving a dramatic demonstration of how he had crept up to the intruders, and pointing out the spot where he had fallen, and where, indeed, there were some palpable blood-spots from the wound in his head.
While I lay ere, sir, he added, the three of em, of course, just pried into everything they wanted to see, and then went out, closin the door after them. It was just after eight this morning when I came to, and I tell you I felt quite dazed, and horrible bad!
What time do you think all this happened? I inquired.
In the middle of the night between two and three oclock I should say.
Careful investigation which I made of the whole apparatus disclosed that nothing whatever had been interfered with except one thing. Two wires connecting the big induction coils had evidently been disconnected, for they had been wrongly connected up, thus showing that the strangers, whoever they had been, might have made certain experiments with our plant.
Happily, however, that big brown deal box had not been there, and I smiled within myself at the bitter disappointment which must have been theirs. In any case, our great secret was still safe.
Well, I said. You certainly had a most exciting adventure, Theed. Well have to set a trap for these gentry in future. Just think out something, will you, and Mr Ashton and I will help you. If they come again we might put in a little electric juice which will effectively stop them from meddling with our things in future. They might get a very nasty jar, I added, laughing.