His friend leaned back in his padded chair listening while the keen-faced man in pince-nez related all the facts, and in doing so showed how shrewd and astute he had been.
"Then they are just what we thought," remarked the chief.
"Without a doubt. In Monte Carlo they received further instructions from somebody. They went to Paris, and there I lost them."
Trendall smiled, for he saw how annoyed his friend was at their escape.
"Well, you certainly clung on to them," he said. "When you first told me your suspicions I confess I was inclined to disagree with you. You merely met them casually in Regent Street. What made you suspicious?"
"One very important incident—Weirmarsh came in with another man, and, in passing, nodded to Granier. That set me thinking."
"But you do not know of any actual dealings with the doctor?"
"I know of none," replied Walter. "Still, I'm very sick that, after all my pains, they should have escaped to Paris so suddenly."
"Never mind," said Trendall. "If they are what we suspect we shall pick them up again before long, no doubt. Now look here," he added. "Read that! It's just come in. As you know, any foreigner who takes a house in certain districts nowadays is reported to us by the local police."
Fetherston took the big sheet of blue official paper which the police official handed to him, and found that it was the copy of a confidential report made by the Superintendent of Police at Maldon, in Essex, and read as follows: