"It means," he said, "that our friend is just two minutes too late."
CHAPTER XX
AT THE ADMIRALTY
"This business is a little too hot to hold," said the editor in a final interview with T. B., who had persuaded him to keep back his story, until he had bagged the "Nine Men." "To-night I must tell the whole of the affair."
T. B. nodded.
"To-night," said T. B., "you can tell what you like. I shall have played my stake for good or ill.
"I have been talking with Escoltier; we have got him lodged in Scotland Yard—though you needn't mention that fact in your account—and I think we know enough now to trap the 'Nine Men.'"
"Who are they and what does the 'C.' stand for in 'N.H.C.'?"
"I can only guess," said T. B cautiously. "Do you know anything about wireless telegraphy?" he demanded.
"Not much," admitted the editor.