"Information concerning the whereabouts of the above-mentioned Hyatt is urgently required. Immediate communication should be made to the nearest police-station."
This notice appeared under the heading, "Too Late for Classification," in every London newspaper the morning following the murder of Moss.
"It is possible that the name is an assumed one," said T. B., "but the Falmouth clue narrows the search."
An "all-station" message was flashed throughout the metropolis:
"Arrest and detain Count Ivan Poltavo" (here followed a description), "on suspicion of being concerned in the murder of Lewis Moss."
But Count Poltavo anticipated the arrest, for hardly had the last message been despatched when he himself entered the portico of Scotland Yard and requested an interview with T. B.
"Yes," he said sadly, "I knew this young man. Poor fellow!"
He gave a very frank account of his dealings with Moss, offered a very full explanation of his own movements on the night of the murder, and was finally dismissed by a perplexed Commissioner, who detached an officer to verify all that Poltavo had said.
T. B. was worried, and showed it, after his own fashion. He sent Van Ingen by an early train to pursue his enquiries in Cornwall, and then went into the City.
An interview with the head of the banking-house of Bronte was not satisfactory.
"I am satisfied," said T. B., "that an attempt will be made to destroy the barrage on the day for which you are liable. All the features of the present market position point to this fact."
"In that case," said the banker, "the 'bears' must be clairvoyant. The day on which the barrage comes into the hands of the Egyptian Government is known to two persons only. I am one, and the other is a gentleman the mere mention of whose name would satisfy you as to his integrity."
"None other," said the banker. And that was all he would say.
But at six o'clock that night T. B. received a message. It was written in pencil on the torn edges of a newspaper.
"To-night Sir George Calliper is dining with the Spanish dancing girl, La Belle Espagnole."
That, and an initial, was all the note contained, but it came from the most reliable man in the Criminal Investigation Department, and T. B. whistled his astonishment.