Johnson stood very still for a moment. He seemed to be thinking deeply.
'This censorship of yours is a bluff, I suppose,' he muttered.
'Amongst many other positions,' Major Elwell admitted, 'I also hold a somewhat important place in the English Secret Service. You have, I trust, one of the first qualifications for useful service in your profession—you are able to recognize the inevitable? You are face to face with it now.'
There was a brief silence. Johnson was standing at the window with his hands behind him. Presently he turned around.
'Very well,' he pronounced curtly, 'you've got me fairly enough. Go ahead.'
'You see,' Major Elwell explained, 'you might, under the present laws, be treated as an ordinary indiscreet traveller—or as a spy. Better hand over everything you are carrying.'
Johnson opened his coat pocket and threw a few letters and a pocket-book upon the table. Major Elwell glanced them through and sighed. Then he turned towards Suzanne.
'If you would give us a couple of minutes, please,' he begged.
Lavendale led her out into the yard. In a few minutes the door behind them was thrown open. The Major was standing at the top of the steps.
'Where's the car?' he shouted—'the car they came in?'