From Norton’s appearance the boys judged that the task was much to his liking. He fingered a wicked looking revolver, as if anticipating trouble and hoping that would come quickly. His manner was that of an eager hunting dog scenting game and only waiting a command to attack.
Thinking it best to offer no resistance and understanding that arguments would not avail under the present circumstances Ned seated himself in a convenient chair. He began to divert the minds of his comrades by talking of the shipping and the traffic which they could see.
Hastily Mackinder tossed the luggage about in his efforts to locate the article he sought. Finally he turned to Ned.
“Where have you concealed it?” he asked with some display of anger.
“Concealed what?” asked Ned impatiently. “I tell you, Mr. Mackinder, I don’t like this idea of your holding us up in this manner without apparent authority. You are imposing on good nature!”
“Perhaps I have been a little hasty,” stated Mackinder, “but I have been commissioned to secure a certain package which is alleged to contain information vital to two countries. It may possibly concern more. You are said to have had possession of this package at the time you left the castle in Flanders. Where is it now?”
“Do you mean the flat package the soldier found in our baggage at the frontier where we were searched?” inquired Jimmie.
“No doubt it is the same one,” stated Mackinder.
“Then,” declared the boy, pointing at Mackinder’s hand, “I have every reason to believe that you know more about the whereabouts of that package than do we. I recognize that peculiar scar on your hand!”
Quick glances of inquiry were directed by the boys at the hand toward which Jimmie was pointing. It bore a scar running clear across the back—an ugly, jagged scar that they had heard Jimmie describe.