T. B. knew he would be there, because there was a heavy calendar at the Old Bailey, and the silent man was working far into the night--arranging, sorting, and rearranging.
The detective was back at the Admiralty within the ten minutes, and together the two made their way to the instrument room.
"N.H.C." responded almost at once, and T. B. sent his message.
"Tell George T. Baggin that another warrant has been issued for his arrest."
"Thanks. Get further particulars, but do not use names."
T. B. read the reply and handed it without a word to the other.
"Please God, I'll hang the man who sent that message," he said with unusual earnestness.
It was half-past nine when T. B. sent and received the last message; and an hour later he had interviewed the Commissioner.
"Get your lady away all right?" his chief greeted him.
"Well away, sir," said T. B. serenely. "Out of reach of Poltavo--his agents were watching the flat--there was a burglary there the very night the book arrived."
T. B. told the story of the developments.
The Commissioner nodded from time to time.
"You're an ingenious young man," he said. "One of these fine days somebody will badly want your blood."
He sat over a companionable cigar and a whisky and soda, talking until the hands of the clock were near on midnight; then he rose to take his leave.
"You will leave for Spain to-morrow?" asked the chief.
"Yes; by the first train. I shall take Van Ingen with me; he speaks Spanish with ease, while I can only blunder through with a phrase or two. I can get the warrants from the Yard before I leave," he continued, "and the Spanish authorities will give me all the help I need."
"And what of Poltavo?" asked the Chief Commissioner.
"We had a murderer there," he said. "I am satisfied that he killed Moss. Whether he actually stabbed Hyatt, I am not sure. The man had such a perfect organisation in London that it is possible that one of his cutthroat friends served him in the case of that unfortunate young man. Count Poltavo can wait. If we get the others, we shall get him. He has powerful friends; we must move with caution.
He grasped the proffered hand, and his host ushered him into the silent street.
He took two steps forward, when a man rose apparently from the ground, and two shots rang out. T. B. had drawn his revolver and fired from his hip, and his assailant staggered back cursing as a dark shadow came running from the opposite side of the road to his help.