"
"Until what time, sir?"
"Until we start. You will be under continual surveillance. If you
make any attempt to communicate in any way with anyone outside my
apartment, it will be the last thing you will ever do. You will
receive no other warning. Tomorrow night you will accompany us. Till
then, you remain my--guest."
The aviator nodded.
"Very well, sir," he accepted. "But, my machine?"
"I will attend to your machine."
"I should hate to leave it there on the roof."
"It will not be left on the roof."
"I don't understand, exactly--"
"There will be very many things you do not understand before this
expedition is over and done with. I need say no more."
Sharply he clapped his hands, thrice. In a moment, Rrisa appeared at
the door. The Master spoke a few guttural, aspirated words of Arabic.
Rrisa beckoned the stranger, who obeyed.
At the exit he faced about and sharply saluted. The Master returned
it. Then he vanished, and the door noiselessly closed behind them.
The Master turned to Bohannan.
"Now," said he, "these few last details. Time is growing very short.
Only a few hours remain. To work, Major--to work!"
At this same moment Auchincloss had already arrived at his rooms in
the McAlpine; and there, having carefully locked his door, had settled
himself at his desk with his sealed box before him.
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