"Well, er--we're doing our best to deal with it, sir, but it will take time to lay these fellows by the heel, I fear."
"Have you got the matter in hand?"
"Yes, sir."
"What have you done? I shall be bombarded with questions shortly; in fact, the Colonial Secretary's here now. He's complaining that the routes are not sufficiently well patrolled. What steps have you taken to deal with these marauders?"
"I've wirelessed to all the aerial stations, to get their fastest scouts out all along the line at once to look for these bandits, and I'm staying on here all night expecting news every moment."
"Very well. Keep me informed of everything that happens. It's becoming very serious. You have full powers to deal effectively with these criminals, and they may be shot down at sight if they don't respond to signals."
Then, as the angry minister rang off, another tap was heard at the door, and the imperturbable Jones entered once more, and announced:
"Message from Keane and Sharpe came in whilst you were speaking on the telephone, sir."
"Good!" ejaculated Tempest, as he wiped the perspiration from his brow, for he had expected something much worse from the Home Secretary. "What does the message say?"
"They received my last message, sir, and are on their way home by the fastest aeroplane. They are due at Hounslow aerodrome at midnight."