“Why, I assured him it was absolutely imposs.,” he cried.

“Well, it isn’t. In fact, it suits our plans. I want exercise, and shall walk back from Knoleworth. Furneaux will make his own arrangements. Tell Grant that I shall drop in without knocking.”

“And tell him I shall arrive by parachute,” added Furneaux.

“In case of accidents, and there is a shoot-up, with myself as the unresisting victim, my front name is James,” said Peters.

“The only good point about you,” scoffed Winter.

“You’re strong on names to-day,” tittered the journalist. “Don Manoel Alcorta was a superb effort as an authority on gee-gees. Wally tells me his donship is the recognized expert south of the line on seismic disturbances, and spends his days and nights watching a needle making scratches on a sensitive plate.”

“He would be useful here in a day or two,” said Winter.

“Ah, thanks! Is that a tip?”

“Not for publication. What you must say is that this affair looks like baffling the shrewdest wits in Scotland Yard.”

“My very phrase—my own ewe lamb. Pardon. I shouldn’t have alluded to sheep.”