Mr. Hardy took our his watch. It was getting on towards midnight.
"Good-bye; glad to see you all right," and he turned to leave. There
was a jingling of coin again, and when he had left Mr. Secretary took
up the five sovereigns which had found their way to the table and put
them in his pocket. His visitor picked his way downstairs. The
constable was still pacing up and down Carter's Rents, but again did
not seem to observe him, and he walked meditatively to Jermyn Street.
He was at his office by half-past nine, and his chief was only half-
an-hour later.
The Major had thought it prudent to change his address; and,
furthermore, it was the object of the Government to make his arrest,
with that of his colleagues, at the place of meeting, not only to
save trouble, but because it would look better. Mr. Hardy had found
out, therefore, all he wanted to know, and was enabled to confirm his
opinion that the Major was the head of the conspiracy.
But underneath Mr. Secretary's mine was a deeper mine; for as the
Major sat at breakfast the next morning a note came for him, the
messenger leaving directly he delivered it to the servant. It was
very brief:- "No meeting to-night.
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