Le Couteur nodded.
“It could hardly be worse,” he admitted, “and there’s no use disguising the fact. But we must wait for more from Jules. In the meantime I am going to talk to Regnier. He must have more men on the spot. At all costs Mademoiselle must be rescued.”
They were soon in touch with the Chief in Paris, who was horrified at the news.
“I will get some more men over at once,” he said. “But we can do nothing until we find out where they have taken her. Jules will realise that. You are certain to get another message from him before long.”
It was not until later that day that they learned how the arrest had been effected. Yvette, as soon as the position of the German plane had been located, had managed in the guise of a girl seeking work, to scrape acquaintance with one of the maids employed at the big house where the aeroplane was lodged. The girl had actually taken her up to the house and Yvette had coolly applied to the housekeeper for employment. There was, as it happened, no vacancy, but Yvette had used her eyes to good purpose. In the walk from the lodge to the house and back she had caught sight of the shed in which, obviously, the aeroplane was housed, and had noted its exact position in the extensive grounds. Hurrying back to the hotel she had communicated this information to Jules and both were filled with excitement at the important step forward they had made.
Sitting in the lounge of the “Adlon” next morning Jules had seen Kranzler enter. He had started at once to warn Yvette to “lie low,” but was just too late. Yvette at that moment came down the staircase and before Jules could interpose had met Kranzler face to face. She was instantly recognised.
With a grin of delight on his evil face the big German bowed profoundly.
“This is indeed a pleasure, Mademoiselle Pasquet!” he said ironically.
Yvette very coolly tried to carry it off.
“Monsieur has, I think, made a mistake,” she said in German.