"I have to go away with my father until the end of next week. By that time, if you have succeeded with your invention, there will be nothing to stop our plans. I would have explained everything to you today if you had been here. As it is, on no account give your secret to any one until I have seen you. I shall come down to Tilbury either on Friday or Saturday, and within a few hours we can be utterly beyond the reach of any further danger or difficulties. Until then, my lover—SONIA."
I read it through twice, and then slowly folding it up, thrust it back into the envelope.
"It seems to me," I said, "that I'm going to have quite an interesting house-party."
CHAPTER XVII
THE WORKSHOP ON THE MARSHES
I gave Gertie her hat next morning when she brought me up my breakfast. It was a gorgeous thing—rather the shape of a dustman's helmet, with a large scarlet bird nestling on one side of it, sheltered by some heavy undergrowth. Gertie's face, as I pulled it out of the box, was a study in about eight different emotions.
"Oo—er," she gasped faintly. "That ain't never for me."
"Yes, it is, Gertrude," I said. "It was specially chosen for you by a lady of unimpeachable taste."
I held it out to her, and she accepted it with shaking hands, like a newly-made peeress receiving her tiara.
"My Gawd," she whispered reverently; "ain't it just a dream!"