“We’ll be in London by tomorrow afternoon,� she said warningly.
Fay nodded. He was helpless. There was no possible escape from facing Sir Richard.
“A have sent a wireless,â€� said MacKeenon between gusts of wind. “They will be expecting distinguished guests,â€� he added dryly. “A warn ye both that if ye have the cipher-key or know where it can be gotten—don’t destroy it or cause it to be whisked away. It is also the key to Dartmoor.â€�
“Then I’m gone,� thought Fay as he glanced at the girl. She shook her head slightly. Her fingers uncoiled from the rail. Her hand passed slowly over her mouth. She had indicated silence without MacKeenon catching the motion.
Fay dropped his eyes and glanced at the hatch. “Let’s go below,� he said. “I’m getting wet and cold up here. How about some breakfast, Mac?�
“Ye shall both be served,� said the Scot. “A shall breakfast with ye both.�
The morning passed in the silence of the ward-room. Afternoon deepened the light that came through the port-holes. Green changed to opal, and opal to gray. Fog swirled and wound the destroyer with a protecting cloak. The speed was not reduced until the old mine barrier was reached off the Scotch coast. A shot gave the warning. Voices called from ship to ship. Once the bright flare of a two-second light flashed and was gone. They entered the Firth of Tay and glided for the anchorage off Dundee.
“A quick passage,� was all that MacKeenon said as the rattle of the anchor chain followed the shutting down of the engines.
Fay waited in the ward-room as Saidee Isaacs went for her hat and gloves. She returned within a minute. She stood erect and faced the Scot as two ensigns came down through the companion and saluted.
“Ye go with us,� said the inspector. “There shall be a mon or twa waiting in Dundee. Passage has been booked for the south. A think it will be long after midnight when we board the Royal Scotsman for London. A hae no doot ye’ll thank the commander for me.�