"When people who live within reach of the fortress talk of going to Gibraltar, as you know they either say that they are 'going across to Gibraltar' or that they are 'going round.' By the first, they indicate the route _via_ Algeciras and across the bay; by the latter, they refer to the journey by way of Cadiz and Tangier----" "Cadiz!" The exclamation came from his hearer. "Cadiz," repeated T. B. He bent his head forward and rested it for a moment in his hands. When he lifted it, his face was grave. "It's worth trying," he muttered. "And," he continued aloud, "it will be bringing down two birds with one stone." "Can I use the instrument again?" he asked. "Certainly," said the officer readily. T. B. rose. "I'm going to Scotland Yard, and I shall not be away for more than ten minutes," he said; and in a few seconds he was crossing Whitehall at a run. He passed through the entrance and made straight for the big bureau, where day in and day out the silent recorder sat with his pen, his cabinets, and his everlasting _dossier_. T. B. knew he would be there, because there was a heavy calendar at the Old Bailey, and the silent man was working far into the night--arranging, sorting, and rearranging. The detective was back at the Admiralty within the ten minutes, and together the two made their way to the instrument room. "N.H.C." responded almost at once, and T. B. sent his message. "Tell George T. Baggin that another warrant has been issued for his arrest." The reply came immediately. "Thanks. Get further particulars, but do not use names." T. B. read the reply and handed it without a word to the other. "Please God, I'll hang the man who sent that message," he said with unusual earnestness. CHAPTER XXI POLTAVO STRIKES It was half-past nine when T. B. sent and received the last message; and an hour later he had interviewed the Commissioner. "Get your lady away all right?" his chief greeted him. "Well away, sir," said T. B. serenely. "Out of reach of Poltavo--his agents were watching the flat--there was a burglary there the very night the book arrived." "And the lady?" "She is due in Jamaica in a few days." "And now----" T. B. told the story of the developments. The Commissioner nodded from time to time. "You're an ingenious young man," he said. "One of these fine days somebody will badly want your blood." "It has often happened," T. B. granted. He sat over a companionable cigar and a whisky and soda, talking until the hands of the clock were near on midnight; then he rose to take his leave. "You will leave for Spain to-morrow?" asked the chief. "Yes; by the first train. I shall take Van Ingen with me; he speaks Spanish with ease, while I can only blunder through with a phrase or two. I can get the warrants from the Yard before I leave," he continued, "and the Spanish authorities will give me all the help I need." "And what of Poltavo?" asked the Chief Commissioner. T. B. shrugged his shoulders.