But Templeton had become wary of his new master. The ageing post captain with his outmoded queue, lopsided shoulders and thin sword scar down his left cheek was a contrast after the huge, dropsical bulk of the one-legged Lord Dungarth. But, Templeton had come to learn, both had an uncanny knack of nosing out the obscure from the obfusc. The talent made Templeton nervous.

'Your meaning is unclear, sir,' Templeton prompted.

'Mmm? You mean the significance of my conjecture is unclear?' Drinkwater asked wryly.

'Exactly so.'

'Well, you are right. It is only conjecture, but Liepmann finds it necessary to tell us a quantity of arms has arrived at Hamburg. There is nothing unusual in that, we conclude, except that Herr Liepmann knows of it. Now I'll warrant that there is nothin' significant in replacement equipment arriving in Hamburg in the normal run of things, eh? Nor would one expect Liepmann to know of it. But Liepmann does know, and considers it worth lettin' us know.'

'But if the fact was of real significance then surely he would have amplified the matter. The message is in cipher. If these arms, whatever they consist of, are in his own warehouses, he would have given us more details. I don't see it signifies anything.'

'You have a point, Templeton. Perhaps my assumption was foolish. But suppose they are in the custody of a friend, an associate. Liepmann perhaps smells a rat. He sends us the information thinking it may be a piece of a larger puzzle.'

'Well, it isn't.'

'You are not convinced.' Drinkwater's tone was flat, a statement, not a question. He shrugged, drained his glass and sighed. 'So be it. Come, it is gettin' late. It is time you went home.'

Templeton put his empty glass down on the half-moon table. 'Good-night, sir,' he said, but he seemed reluctant to leave.

'Good-night.' Drinkwater turned to his desk, gathering the scattered papers, waiting for Templeton to go. When the clerk had finally gone, he locked them away. He turned then to the shutters and opened them. Throughout his interview with Templeton he had been aware of their faint but persistent rattle.