Von Belke turned a lowering eye on Miss Holland. She had said not a word, and scarcely moved since he came into the room, but her breathing was a little quicker than usual, and her gaze had followed intently each speaker in turn.
"Ach so!" he said; "the decoy is still present. I had forgot."
"Mr Belke," he said, "Captain Phipps and I have pleaded very strongly that, in spite of your exceedingly ambiguous position, and the fact that you have not always been wearing uniform, you should not suffer the fate of a spy. But if you make any more remarks like your last, I warn you we shall withdraw this plea."
"Please do not think it matters to me, Captain Blacklock----" she began.
"Eye-wash!" he said. "It's the only way to treat a Hun--show him the stick!"
The hint had certainly produced its effect. Von Belke shrugged his shoulders, and merely remarked--
"I am your prisoner. I say nothing more."
"That's distinctly wiser," said Captain Phipps, with a formidable scowl at the captive and a wink at Miss Holland.
For a few moments von Belke kept his word, and sat doggedly silent. Then suddenly he exclaimed--
"But I do not understand all this! How should a German agent be a British officer? My Government knew all about Tiel--I was told to be under his orders--it is impossible you can be he!"
"I almost think I owe Mr Belke an explanation," he said with a smile.
"Yes," cried Eileen eagerly, "do tell him, and then--then he will understand a little better."
Blacklock filled a pipe and leaned his back against the fireplace, a curious mixture of clergyman in his attire and keen professional sailor in his voice and bearing, now that all need for pretence was gone.
"The story I told you of the impersonation and attempted murder of Mr Alexander Burnett," he began, "was simply a repetition of the tale told me by Adolph Tiel at Inverness--where, by the way, he was arrested."
"So!" he cried. "Then--then you never were Tiel?"
"I am thankful to say I never was, for a more complete scoundrel never existed. He and his friend Schumann actually did knock Mr Burnett on the head, tie a stone to his feet, and pitch him over the cliff. Unfortunately for them, they made a bad job of the knot and the stone came loose. In consequence, Mr Burnett floated long enough to be picked up by a patrol boat, which had seen the whole performance outlined against the sky at the top of the cliff above her. By the time they had brought him back to a certain base, Mr Burnett had revived and was able to tell of his adventure. The affair being in my line, was put into my hands, and it didn't take long to see what the rascals' game was."