"You merely want to know what's doing--eh?"
"Yes. I'm fagged out, and want a rest to-night. I'll come up and see you in the morning," I said.
Then we entered a bar, and having had a drink together, we went to Arkwright Road, where I rejoined Fournier, and with him returned to my rooms.
Next day nothing happened. The two men wanted, wearing different clothes, and Vernon in blue glasses, went out about eleven for a walk as far as Hampstead Heath, and returned to luncheon. That was all my watchers reported.
On the following evening, however, I met Benham by appointment in a bar in the Finchley Road, when he said--
"There's something in the wind, Mr. Vidal. But I can't make out what it is. This afternoon a well-dressed man, apparently an Italian, called, and about half an hour later a smart young French girl, with fair hair, and wearing a short dark blue dress and brown silk stockings and shoes, also paid the pair a visit. She's there now."
From the further description he gave of her, I found that it tallied exactly with the identity of Lola.
And she was there! with Vernon and his two confederates.
"There's also something else strange about that house, Mr. Vidal," added Benham. "I dare say you didn't notice it in the dark, but away, half-hidden by the trees in the garden, there's a long stretch of four wires, suspended from two high poles. A wireless telegraph, I take it to be."
"Yes. To-day I asked a man who was repairing an underground wire in the Finchley Road, and he says it's a very powerful station, and he wonders that the Post Office ever licensed it."
"It was probably licensed as a small station, and then its power was secretly increased," I suggested.
"But you say that the young French lady is still there?"
"Yes," replied Benham, "she was when I left ten minutes ago."
I lost no time, but quickly hurried round to Arkwright Road, strolling past the new, well-kept, red-brick house which, upon its gate, bore the words in neat white letters, "Merton Lodge."
In several of the windows were lights. What, I wondered, was the nature of the consultation going on within?
While I walked to the corner of Frognal, Benham remained at the Finchley Road end, within call.
I watched patiently, when, about half-past eight, the front door opened and Lola, descending the steps, left the house, walking alone in my direction.