पृष्ठ 38 / 657

"And when I raise my hand-so-you will throw into the room what I

give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of

fire. You quite follow me?"

"Entirely."

"It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long

cigar-shaped roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's

smoke-rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it

self-lighting. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your

cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You

may then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in

ten minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?"

"I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you,

and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry

of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street."

"Precisely."

"Then you may entirely rely on me."

"That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I

prepare for the new role I have to play."