If he can be called into an office quietly on some matter of routine and held there whilst your search is made, then those in Madrid and Barcelona to whom these letters are addressed may never know they have been sent at all!" M.de Cassaud nodded and went out.

Hillyard waited nervously in the little whitewashed room.

It was impossible that the attendant should have taken fright and bolted.

Even if he bolted, it would be impossible that he should escape across the frontier.

It was impossible that he should recover the metal case from the water-tank, while the carriage stood openly at the platform of Cerbere station.