Having told him of my intention to have a "go" at the next enemy airship that might come over, he readily promised that upon receiving the next alarm, he would make a point of ringing me up at Swalecliffe. Then, with the machine in readiness and already tested and re-tested, and also with a full petrol-tank, there was nothing further to do but to draw it out into the park each night, and await the alarm. It was on the first day of March when we had come down in Swalecliffe Park as strangers--on a Wednesday I remember--and the following days had been fully occupied with our preparations, while throughout each night Teddy and I, ready dressed for flight, sat in the colonel's study wherein the telephone was installed. Thursday night passed quite uneventfully. During the earlier hours the colonel and Roseye sat with us, but the barometer being low, and the weather gusty, we had, even at ten o'clock, decided that no Zeppelin would risk crossing the North Sea. On Friday night the four of us played bridge till half-past four, the Theeds being, of course, on duty outside. We had the consolation of knowing that, though the Invisible Hand might be searching for us, it had not yet discovered our place of concealment. Each evening we tested the telephone--through the local exchange--out to the listening-post, and each evening Moncrieff, who was in charge, answered cheerily: "Don't fear, old chap, I'll give you a ring as soon as anything is going on." Saturday, the fourth of March, was bright and warm, but just before sunset a sharp easterly breeze sprang up and, with a falling barometer, we knew that our vigilance would remain unrewarded. So again we played bridge until Roseye grew sleepy and then retired. Certainly we did not appear to meet with any luck. On Sunday morning we all went to the pretty little church of Swalecliffe, and in the afternoon I went out for a pleasant stroll with Roseye through the park and leafless woods. Again I pressed her to reveal to me what she knew regarding that mysterious woman who was in association with the fellow Eastwell. But once again she steadfastly declined to reveal anything. "No, no!" she protested. "Please don't ask me, Claude." "But surely I have a right to know!" I declared. "Your enemies are mine; and we are fighting them together. We have agreed to marry, Roseye, therefore you may surely trust me with your secret!" I had halted at a stile before crossing our path leading into the wood, and, as I held her hand in mine, I looked straight into her big blue eyes. She drew a long breath, and her gaze wavered. I saw that she now relented, and that she was unable to refute my argument. I pressed her hand and, in a deep, earnest voice, urged: "Tell me darling. _Do tell me_?" Again her chest heaved and fell beneath her furs.