“I didn’t think of that,” he said crestfallen, shaking his head.
“Well, don’t think any more of it, and let’s worry this other thing out.”
“I can’t get that infernal boat out of my head.”
We did worry with it until it was time to set out; but the only thing I could see to do, if Inez took the papers home, was to call at her house myself.
Being entirely new to this spy business, I was abominably nervous and possessed with the conviction that every one we met knew quite well the reason why we were strolling along the street with an entirely exaggerated air of indifference.
Burroughs and I went ahead, Simmons, got up as a rather theatrical Portuguese fisherman, was behind us, and Bryant, who apparently was the coolest of the four, followed on the opposite side of the street.
We had barely reached the neighbourhood of Dagara’s house when Miralda drove up in a hired carriage. She stopped the driver a hundred yards short of the street and got out, leaving the driver to wait.
My first step was to get rid of the carriage, by telling the man he would not be wanted and paying his fare with the addition of a liberal tip.
In a few minutes Miralda returned and was profoundly surprised to find me instead of the carriage, and her hand trembled as she put it in mine.
“I have sent your carriage away. I knew you were coming to M. Dagara’s house and the reason, and I was compelled to speak to you alone.”