"But you know what inventions are," said the American. "Sometimes these darned things won't work." "A man like Sir Oswald Coote will have made no mistake," said Mosgorovsky. "Speaking as an aviator myself," said No. 5, "the thing is perfectly feasible. It has been discussed for years--but it needed the genius of Eberhard to bring it to fruition." "Well," said Mosgorovsky, "I don't think we need discuss matters any further. You have all seen the plans. I do not think our original scheme can be bettered. By the way, I hear something about a letter of Gerald Wade's that has been found--a letter that mentions this organization. Who found it?" "Lord Caterham's daughter--Lady Eileen Brent." "Bauer should have been on to that," said Mosgorovsky. "It was careless of him. Who was the letter written to?" "His sister, I believe," said No. 3. "Unfortunate," said Mosgorovsky. "But it cannot be helped. The inquest on Ronald Devereux is to-morrow. I suppose that has been arranged for?" "Reports as to local lads having been practising with rifles have been spread everywhere," said the American. "That should be all right then. I think there is nothing further to be said. I think we must all congratulate our dear one o'clock and wish her luck in the part she has to play." "Hurrah!" cried No. 5. "To Anna!" All hands flew out in the same gesture which Bundle had noticed before. "To Anna!" One o'clock acknowledged the salutation with a typically foreign gesture. Then she rose to her feet and the others followed suit. For the first time, Bundle caught a glimpse of No. 3 as he came to put Anna's cloak round her--a tall, heavily built man. Then the party filed out through the secret door. Mosgorovsky secured it after them. He waited a few moments and then Bundle heard him unbolt the other door and pass through, after extinguishing the electric light. It was not until two hours later that a white and anxious Alfred came to release Bundle. She almost fell into his arms and he had to hold her up. "Nothing," said Bundle. "Just stiff, that's all. Here, let me sit down." "Oh, Gord, my lady, it's been awful." "Nonsense," said Bundle. "It all went off splendidly. Don't get the wind up now it's all over. It might have gone wrong, but thank goodness it didn't." "Thank goodness, as you say, my lady. I've been in a twitter all the evening. They're a funny crowd, you know." "A damned funny crowd," said Bundle, vigorously massaging her arms and legs. "As a matter of fact, they're the sort of crowd I always imagined until to-night only existed in books. In this life, Alfred, one never stops learning." CHAPTER XV THE INQUEST Bundle reached home about 6 A.M. She was up and dressed by half-past nine, and rang up Jimmy Thesiger on the telephone. The promptitude of his reply somewhat surprised her, till he explained that he was going down to attend the inquest.