MacKeenon chuckled and snapped his eyes. “Ye are that,� he said, “and here comes the boat. Step this way, Chester.�
A whale-boat rowed by two sailors glided alongside the flush-deck of the destroyer. The seamen upended oars and reached for a grating. They waited.
MacKeenon, with Fay in tow, led the way over the duck-boards and down a flat ladder to the boat. He stepped aft and made room on the stern seat for the cracksman. Saidee Isaacs sprang aboard and glided to the bow. The two ensigns stood at attention.
They saluted as the sailors shoved off and started rowing.
The shore was reached at a Government quay, piled high with North Sea stores. An auto was standing at the head of the quay. The driver blew three blasts on his horn. MacKeenon answered the signal by raising his hand. A man came gliding between the boxes and bales and stared at Fay. He turned toward MacKeenon.
“A’ve booked a compartment on the Royal Scotsman,� he said like an inferior to a superior. “Ye should reach London by noon. Sir Richard has wired me he will be waiting at the House of the Two Lions.�
“Scotland Yard,� whispered Saidee Isaacs into Fay’s ear.
MacKeenon caught the sly aside and smiled like a crafty manhunter.
“A hae no doot it is,� he said, staring at Saidee Isaacs. “It’s a quiet branch of the Criminal Investigation Division.�
The inspector led the way to the waiting motor. The drive to the station was made in silence. A wait ensued as the Dundee detective went within the train-shed and arranged for the compartment. He came back rubbing his dry hands. He nodded toward MacKeenon.