“Then we need not fear the success of our enemies,” laughed the tall Englishman, with much gratification.
“Certainly not,” answered the venerable old gentleman with a smile. “See here,” and he pointed to an open telegram before him, “this is the last despatch from the Governor of Jerusalem, an hour ago. By my orders the Mount of the Offence is surrounded by a cordon of military, who have instructions to allow no one to pass. I have taken this precaution in case the affair gets into the press, and the spot is visited by great crowds, as it well may be. So,” laughed the Grand Vizier, “you have to-day given your friend, M’sieur Jannaway, a rather unpleasant surprise, I should fancy.”
Chapter Thirty Nine.
Is the Conclusion.
The anxiety of Erich Haupt may easily be imagined when, next day at the Waldorf Hotel, he received a telegram from Challas, despatched from an obscure place in Holland, saying that he had been called away unexpectedly, and telling him to go to Berkeley Square and open any telegrams that might be there.
He drove westward in a “taxi”—and found one message. It was in code from Jim Jannaway. The old German had noticed where the financier kept the code-book, and had but little difficulty in finding it.
“We have been given away,” it ran. “The spot is now guarded by military. Sale of land, and all investigation forbidden, and we have received an intimation to leave Palestine at once. Coming home.”
Haupt’s dismay and chagrin was complete. He drove to the nearest telegraph-office and “wired” to Jannaway that Sir Felix had been called away.