Then, still lying on his
stomach, almost holding his breath, he saw the thin line of light
from an electric torch steal out along the surface of the sea,
obviously from the hand of his fellow watcher. Almost at that
same moment the undefined agitation which had assailed him passed.
He set his teeth and watched that line of light. It moved slowly
sideways along the surface of the sea, as though searching for
something. Julian drew himself cautiously, inch by inch, to the
extremity of the sand hummock. His brain was working with a new
clearness. An inspiration flashed in upon him during those few
seconds. He knew the geography of the place well,--the corner of
the barn, the steeple beyond, and the watcher lying in a direct
line. His cipher was explained!
Perfectly cool now, Julian thought with some regret of the
revolver which he had scorned to bring. He occupied himself,
during these seconds of watching, by considering with care what
his next action was to be. If he even set his foot upon the
shingle, the watcher below would take alarm, and if he once ran
away, pursuit was hopeless. The figure, so far as he could
distinguish it, was more like that of a boy than a man. Julian
began to calculate coolly the chances of an immediate
intervention. Then things happened, and for a moment he held his
breath.
The line of light had shot out once more, and this time it seemed
to reveal something, something which rose out of the water and
which looked like nothing so much as a long strip of zinc piping.
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