Enough that the face of the cliff was “produced” in the castle walls, and that Gath was the crown upon a crag that no man could ever scale.
So much the naked eye showed us.
It was the binoculars that showed us Adèle.
She was standing on the little terrace, with her hands on the balustrade. Whether she was watched I cannot say, but she was alone. Below her was the leaping cascade, and, behind, an archway, framing a door that was shut. She was standing very still; her head was up, and her eyes lifted to the peak upon which we stood.
Mansel tore off his wristwatch, ripped its case open and thrust the watch into my hand.
“Flash it in the sun,” he said, clapping the glasses to his eyes. “If she sees it, she’ll understand.”
The silver was bright as a mirror, and, while Mansel watched her, I twitched the case to and fro.
At last—
“She’s seen it,” he said. “Now flash it six times, and cover it up with your hand between each flash.”
I did so.
“Now flash it once more,” said Mansel. “And then cover up.”
I did as he said.
After what seemed a long time—
“Flash it again,” said he.
I did so: and, after a little, he told me to pocket the watch.
At last he put down his glasses and wiped the sweat from his face.
“She saw the signals,” he said. “She raised her hand. When you had acknowledged her gesture, she turned away. She’s—very wise.”
“Has she gone?”
He nodded.
“She went up the staircase into the left-hand tower. And, after a moment, she showed some white at that window, halfway up. When you acknowledged that, she took it away. She’s very wise—Adèle.”
That was a true saying: only the quickest wit and the steadiest brain would ever have done so well. I think her heart must have leapt, but she took no needless risk. One wave of her hand, and then—straight to her quarters to show us where she was lodged. And that was all. She had no more to tell us, and the game was a dangerous one. The sooner it was done, the better for all concerned.
And here for the first time I saw how well and truly she and Mansel were matched. They were made of the same fine substance, a little higher than their fellows, and could speak a common language which others did not know. And, as Mansel and I lay there, on the edge of the great gulf fixed between us and Gath, I remember wondering whether, could she have done so, Adèle would have kept such letters as she had received from him.
At sundown we joined the others at the crossroads, and within the hour we sat down to supper at Lass.
When they had eaten, Carson and Rowley left for Poganec, taking a note with them.
This was brief, for Mansel was a man of few words.
I know where Adèle is confined and saw her today from a distance. She seemed to be well. I am glad to say that I managed to attract her attention, and she now knows that help is at hand. I have reason to think that she is comfortably lodged. If need be, I can be found at the Three Kings Hotel, Lass. Please destroy this note and communicate its contents to no one but Daphne and Berry alone.
V
Mansel Takes Off the Gloves
At ten o’clock the next morning Mansel, Carson and I visited the Castle of Gath.
From first to last this visit had been closely rehearsed, so that even a spy in the wood would not, I think, have suspected that we were playacting.
Indeed, the play began some miles away, for we first seemed to notice the drive, as we were returning to the crossroads after a thirty-mile run. After due hesitation we determined to see whither it led. …
At the sight of the Castle we stopped, as anyone would have done, and were plainly uncertain whether or no to proceed: but, after a little discussion, I drove the car down the spur and drew up before the gateway in a perfectly natural way. Then Carson opened a door, and Mansel got out.
When he had rung, he stood waiting, with a hand on the great stone jamb, while Carson, with his hands behind him stood leaning against a wing, and I pulled out tobacco and started to fill a pipe.
I shall never forget those moments or how hard it was to keep cool. Eyes were upon us, watching each breath we drew: it was likely that we were covered and certain that we were at the mercy of those we were seeking to dupe. What was about to happen, no one could tell. For once Rose Noble was dealing, and, whatever the cards he dealt us, with those we should have to play.
The day was very fine, and a gentle breeze was blowing across the spur: except for the whisper of the engine, there was no sound: and I remember thinking how gay the greenwood looked in the brave sunshine and how black the clean-cut shadow which the battlements threw upon the turf.
After a little, Mansel rang again.
For an age we waited: then I heard a step on the pavement and the click of a lock. Then two bolts were drawn, the wicket swung open, and a woman put out her head.
“Good day,” said Mansel, using German. “What’s the name of this place?”
“The Castle of Gath, sir.”
“Who lives here?”
“No one, sir. My husband and I are the caretakers.”
“D’you know if it’s for sale?”
The woman shook her head.
“It’s not for sale, sir.”
“Which is the castle hereabouts which is for sale?”
“I have no idea, sir.”
“Well, there’s one somewhere,” said Mansel, “not very far from here. It belongs to an English lady, who’s out of her mind. She drives about in a car without
