“Sir, I have the honour to report that the Little Peace Maker has been sighted on our starboard bow.” Then throwing off his assumed character he added: “Get a move on you, they will be in at the front door in a minute!
“And what are you going to do with this?” he asked on seeing the Count. “Don’t you think we had better wing it before we leave? Ish ka bibble.”
“No.” Edestone pushed him ahead of him out of the room. And to Jones: “Good-bye, William,” he called over his shoulder. “I am sorry to have given you so much trouble.”
When he had closed the door they both ran into the elevator and started for the roof.
“Where are all of those who are going with us?” asked Edestone.
“They are all on the roof. No, by Jove!” Lawrence interrupted himself, “Fred is still down in the front hall.”
“We must go for him,” said Edestone, halting the car and starting it down.
“Why not leave him? Mr. Jones can take care of him.”
“No, they won’t stop at anything.” Edestone shook his head.
By this time the car had arrived at the main-floor level, and as Edestone flung open the door the Count was seen just coming out of the library, while Fred, who had seen Edestone and Lawrence take the lift, was running up the stairs. In the dim light the Count saw him, and cried to the soldiers who had their guns through the grille: