When they were seated, Mortimer said:
“About the 14th of this month the British Admiralty will begin the work of shipping to France ten divisions of American troops now training in this country. The most extraordinary precautions are being taken to complete this huge undertaking with success. It seems to me that the moment has come for us to demonstrate the efficiency of our new organization.”
He looked round at his audience but no one said a word. Desmond felt very distinctly that there was a hostile atmosphere against Mortimer in that room.
“I asked you to come here to-night,” Mortimer went on, “to discuss the plans for sending prompt and accurate information regarding the movements of these transports to the other side. I warn you that this time our mode of procedure will have to be radically different from the methods we have pursued on former occasions. To expend our energies in collecting information at half a dozen different ports of war will be waste of time. The direction of the whole of this enterprise lies in the hands of one man at the Admiralty.”
Behrend, who had struck Desmond as a rather taciturn young man, shook his head dubiously.
“That makes things very difficult,” he remarked.
“Wait,” replied Mortimer. “I agree, it is very difficult, the more so as I have reason to believe that the authorities have discovered the existence of our organization.”
Mrs. Malplaquet and Behrend turned to one another simultaneously.
“What did I say?” said Behrend.
“I told you so,” said the lady.