46 FOR THE FLAG

Moored at two cables-length from the steep bank, the
ba could easily have put in closer, and still be in fifteen
or twenty feet of water; and this would have facilitated
the embarkation when the boat. would come alongside.
But if she had not effected that manceuvre, it was because
the Count had his reasons for not giving the order.

The distance was covered in a few. moments, the boat
having passed without being seen. ©

The shore was deserted, solitary also was the road out-
side the beeches of Healthful House park. ©

The grappling irons being firmly fixed on the bank,
Captain Spade and his four men landed, leaving the boat-
swain behind, and disappeared under the dark canopy of
the trees. ;

When they reached the wall of the park the Captain
stopped, and his men drew up on each side of the door.
After the precautions he had taken he would have only to
put the key in the lock and push the door, provided
that none of the servants of the establishment, seeing it
not locked as usual, had bolted it on the inside.

In that case the abduction would have been difficult,
even admitting the possibility of scaling the wall.

In the first place the Captain put his ear to the key-
hole.

There was no noise of footsteps in the grounds, no one
going in or out of Pavilion 17. Nota leaf stirred on the
branches of the beeches that screened the road. All
around was the silence of the open country on a breezeless
night.