Читать книгу The Memory Man - Coutts Brisbane - Страница 4

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ON the line of dunes behind the alert sentries one of three men lying behind grass tufts brought a camera with telescopic attachment to bear upon the flying-boat, and perfunctorily took a couple of photographs.

"It is a gesture only, to show that we have been here," he murmured as he stowed away the plate carrier. "It is of foolishness the most absurd that we should be here at all. The English may be fools, As Piranelli says, but they are not such fools as he would have us believe. Very evidently they have got hold of a most valuable range-finder. His information is correct as far as it goes, but he was wrong when he assumed that we should be able to gather more here. Let us go."

"Und gif up a good job?" asked Schelm incredulously. He was a small, round, plump man with narrow, fat-surrounded eyes that always seemed on the point of closing entirely. "Nod so! This is somethings worth discovering."

"Who said anything about giving up?" Karyl Thunnsenn's ice-grey eyes glinted momentarily with amusement. "I only point out that our Piranelli does not know everything. There is something in these pictures I have just taken that will shake the big stiff's confidence in himself. He won't puff out his big chest and look mysterious as a staff officer when I point it out to him, no!"

"But what is it?" growled Ostoff, he of the prominent cheekbones and slanted eyes. "Tartar" would have described him well enough but for the flaxen hair and heavy moustache which made a mongrel of him. "I think it is foolishness not to do what he orders. He is the man who pays."

"Because of that we are here, though I knew it would be time wasted. But look, both of you. You see that man with the large head wrapped in the thick overcoat, sitting beside the tall admiral? Look at him closely so that you will know him again."

"I see. Who is he, then?" asked Ostoff impatiently as he scanned the group in the stern of the largest launch through his glasses. "To me he bears the look of a stuffed owl."

"None the less I am of the opinion that he is important. But, as you hinted, Schelm, we may as well do something to justify our expenses. We will continue as arranged and try to have a look at this flying-boat when she is in the hangar. Personally, I think the range-finder will have been removed, but Piranelli shall be obeyed to the letter. Come!"

And wriggling on their bellies like the reptiles they were, the three got themselves out of sight of the sentries before they rose and hurried away.