How I got the Chief's message
recalling me and how I made my escape through the Turkish lines
to Allenby's headquarters is a long story which will keep. The
Chief had a car waiting for me at Folkstone and I reached London
in time to lunch with him. We had a long talk and he gave me
carte blanche to jump into this business now, when and where I
thought I could best help you."
Desmond smiled bitterly.
"The Chief couldn't trust me to make good on my own, I suppose,"
he said.
"The Chief had a very good idea of the character of the people
you had to deal with, Des.," retorted Francis, "and he was a
trifle apprehensive that the role you were playing might lead to
complications, supposing the gang were to see through your
impersonation. He's a wonderful man, that, Des., and he was dead
right--as he always is."
"But how?" asked Desmond. "Did the crowd spot me?"
"No," answered the other; "but it was your disguise which was
responsible for the escape of Strangwise--"
"What?" cried Desmond. "He's escaped after all!"
Francis nodded.
"Yes," he said, "got clear away and left no trace. Wait a minute
and you shall hear! When I have told my story, you shall tell
yours and between us, we'll piece things together!
"Well, when I left the Chief yesterday, I came down here.
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