As soon as he had left to return to his office I sent the men with the launch to wait at the usual landing-stage on the quay. When I reached my rooms, the little farce had been played and Henriques had gone. I calculated that his first step would be to deliver the letter to Vasco, who would immediately send Miralda for the papers, and my intention was to meet her as she left Dagara’s house. It was essential that I should know to whom she was to hand them and that person must be shadowed from the moment they were in his or her possession. In the meanwhile I had to ascertain whether Sampayo had left the city, and to do this I sent my servant, Bryant, a sharp fellow, with a letter for Sampayo. I told him to say it was to be given into Sampayo’s own hands, and if asked, he was to say it was from Dr. Barosa. I wrote one line: “Give you one more hour.” He returned with the news that Sampayo had gone. The furniture was being removed and all the evidences of a speedy departure were everywhere. I concluded, therefore, that Sampayo had learnt of the failure of his little scheme the previous night and had fled. In the meanwhile Burroughs and I had discussed the spy work that had to be done. My opinion was that the papers would be given to Inez, and if so, the difficulties would be considerable. “Simmons is sharp enough to do it,” said Burroughs; “but I should suggest that you put both him and your man, Bryant, on it, and let Simmons rig himself up as a Portuguese long-shoreman.” I adopted the suggestion and we sent the man out to buy the necessary disguise. “I must be on hand to point out the quarry,” I said; “but the devil of it is, if she takes them to her house we shall have the trail cut and shall need to shadow every one who comes out. And that’s precisely where she is most likely to take them.” “Say, I’ve a great idea,” exclaimed Burroughs, clashing his big fist on the table excitedly. “What price my offering to ship aboard that yacht, the _Rampallo_?” “What’s that got to do with this sleuthing business?” “Nothing, but you want to know what game’s going on on board her.” “My dear fellow, let’s stick to one thing at a time.” “It would be great though, wouldn’t it? I’d make ’em sit up.” “Do you imagine for an instant that you are not known to belong to the _Stella_?” “I didn’t think of that,” he said crestfallen, shaking his head. “Well, don’t think any more of it, and let’s worry this other thing out.” “I can’t get that infernal boat out of my head.” We did worry with it until it was time to set out; but the only thing I could see to do, if Inez took the papers home, was to call at her house myself. Being entirely new to this spy business, I was abominably nervous and possessed with the conviction that every one we met knew quite well the reason why we were strolling along the street with an entirely exaggerated air of indifference.