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When I was in France," said Tommy reminiscently, "whenever my batman failed

to call me, he always said that he had come over queer. I never believed it. But

whether he felt it or not, there IS such a sensation. I've got it now! Badly!"

He looked at the rock with a kind of agonized passion.

Damn it!" he cried. "It's impossible! Five years! Think of it! Bird's-nesting boys,

picnic parties, thousands of people passing! It can't be there! It's a hundred to

one against its being there! It's against all reason!"

Indeed, he felt it to be impossible--more, perhaps, because he could not believe in

his own success where so many others had failed. The thing was too easy,

therefore it could not be. The hole would be empty.

Julius looked at him with a widening smile.

"I guess you're rattled now all right," he drawled with some enjoyment. "Well, here

goes!" He thrust his hand into the crevice, and made a slight grimace. "It's a tight

fit. Jane's hand must be a few sizes smaller than mine. I don't feel anything--no--

say, what's this? Gee whiz!" And with a flourish he waved aloft a small

discoloured packet. "It's the goods all right. Sewn up in oilskin. Hold it while I get

my penknife."

The unbelievable had happened. Tommy held the precious packet tenderly

between his hands. They had succeeded!

"It's queer," he murmured idly, "you'd think the stitches would have rotted. They

look just as good as new."

They cut them carefully and ripped away the oilskin. Inside was a small folded

sheet of paper. With trembling fingers they unfolded it. The sheet was blank! They

stared at each other, puzzled.

"A dummy?" hazarded Julius. "Was Danvers just a decoy?"

Tommy shook his head. That solution did not satisfy him. Suddenly his face

cleared.

I've got it! SYMPATHETIC INK!"

You think so?"

193

The Secret Adversary