"Indeed! On what charge?"
"As a suspect."
"Suspected of what?"
"Of spying."
This took Kenneth's breath away. Mechanically he walked a few steps beside the officer, the two constables following. Then realising the nature of the charge against him, he stopped short.
"It is false!" he cried. "I am no spy. Where is your warrant? What right have you to arrest me?"
"No warrant is needed," replied the sergeant, courteously enough. "You will no doubt clear yourself if you are innocent."
"Of course I am innocent. My friends will prove that. Oh! I won't give you any trouble: the sooner I get to the police-station, the better."
"That is reasonable," said the sergeant.
They marched on. Kenneth looked eagerly at all the passers-by in the hope of finding a friend who would vouch for him; but he recognised no familiar face. On reaching the station he was searched, but deprived of nothing except his pocket-book and the letters it contained.