"I know!" I laughed. "The rubbish written about Zeppelins is simply ludicrous. I've read that book, which has no doubt been read by thousands of patriotic Britons. I remember quite well that, in it, we are gravely informed that as far as Zeppelins were concerned the British public may sleep comfortably in their beds. The great thing is, we are urged, to discount as far as possible, by reason supported by scepticism, the terrorising tales of the Zeppelin's worth and doughty prowess which are so brilliantly `press-agented' in Germany. The writer has further told us that talk never broke any bones, and the Germans are doing a good deal of talk at the present moment to hide the defects in their monster pets which have been detected as useless by the test of War. The Zeppelins, the writer told us, are comparatively negligible quantities. Last night's raid is the commentary." "Yes," said Roseye, "something must really be done to prevent such raids." "But how?" queried Lionel Eastwell across the table in that slow refined voice of his. "It's all very well to talk like that--but you must _act_." Roseye and I again exchanged glances. She knew well what was passing in my mind. And I remained silent. CHAPTER SIX. THEED'S STRANGE STORY. The following morning while I was writing letters in my room Theed entered, saying that his father had called and wished to see me. A moment later the sturdy old ex-police-sergeant came in, his felt hat in his hand, and when I had sat him beside the fire I saw an unusual expression upon his grey, furrowed countenance. "I've come up, sir," he said, "because something curious 'appened at the shed lars' night." "Happened--what's happened?" I asked, staring at him. "Well--something I can't quite make out, sir. But I thought I ought to report at once." "Tell me, by all means, Theed," I said, instantly interested. "Well, sir. There were strangers about lars' night." "Strangers! Who?" I asked, recollecting Teddy's allegations on the night of our successful test. "Well--it was like this, Mr Munro," the old fellow began. "I went on at nine o'clock as usual, and met Harry there. We talked together about half an hour, and then he left. I 'ad a pipe in front o' the stove and sat readin' the war news--as I always do. I expect I must 'ave dozed for a bit, but I woke up at eleven, 'ad another pipe and read a bit more of my paper. I heard Chiswick church-clock strike twelve, and then, after makin' up the stove again, I 'ad another doze, as I generally do. Of a sudden I was woke up by hearin' low whisperin'. My lamp was out-- it 'ad gone out because I 'adn't much oil. But I was on the alert in a moment, for I saw the light of an electric torch a movin' about at the other end of the shed, and two figures were a gropin' about and whisperin'. I'll swear one was a woman!" "A woman!" I gasped. "What did you do?"