“Oh, I mean it. I can send a wire to Aunt, and get some pyjamas and a toothbrush in Paris. It would be the jolliest thing out.”
This suggestion, which Maurice was at first inclined to scout, started a train of thought. There was very little doubt that Count Slavianski would take the first train to Dover, in the expectation of crossing the Channel by the ordinary boat with Buckland. Having made such elaborate arrangements, he would not stick at trifles to gain his end. On the 9 o’clock train from Charing Cross there would probably be the Count himself and several of his men. They would cling to his track as he journeyed across France, and not until he joined the torpedo-boat at Brindisi could he feel safe.
Moreover, when he remembered the outrages that had been committed with impunity on the continental trains, he could not doubt that he would meet with his greatest dangers on the other side of the Channel. Three or four desperate men could certainly find or make an opportunity of attacking him during the long and tedious journey to Brindisi, especially on the Italian portion of it, when the train, as he well knew, crawled along for twenty-two hours at an average speed of twenty miles. He had his revolver, but that would avail him little if the attack were of the nature of a surprise, as it assuredly would be. If the train journey could by any means be avoided, he would have a much better chance of eluding the trackers, keeping a whole skin, and ensuring the safety of his despatch.
“I don’t see why we shouldn’t try it,” he said after a minute’s consideration.
“Good man!” cried George, delighted.
“Don’t be in a hurry,” proceeded Maurice. “Your licence doesn’t run in France.”
“Of course it doesn’t; but don’t you remember I spent the Easter holiday in Normandy on a motor-bicycle? I wrote you, didn’t I? I’ve got my licence for that in my pocket-book, and we’ll make that do.”
“I foresee the necessity for a little diplomacy,” said Maurice, laughing. “But you haven’t any licence at all for Italy.”
“That’s true, but the Italians will do anything for a tip, won’t they? I hope you’ve got plenty of money with you: there’ll be import and octroi duties to pay.”
“I think I can manage them. As for the licence, we shall see.”