"
"Be a sensible fellow, Maderstrom," Sir Henry said. "Remember that
you can't do yourself or your adopted country a ha'porth of good by
playing the Quixote."
"Besides," Philippa continued, holding his hands tightly, "it is,
after all, only an exchange. You have saved Henry's life, set
Richard free, and brought us happiness. Why should you hesitate to
accept your own liberty?"
Sir Henry threw open the window and looked towards a green light
out at sea.
"There's your trawler," he pointed out, "and remember the tide will
turn in half an hour. I don't wish to hurry you."
Lessingham raised Philippa's fingers to his lips.
"I shall think of you both always," he said simply. "You are very
wonderful people."
He turned towards the window. Sir Henry took up the Homburg hat
from the table by his side.
"Better take your hat," he suggested.
Lessingham paused, accepted it, and looked steadfastly at the donor.
"You knew from the first?" he asked.
"From the very first," Sir Henry assured him. "Don't look so
confounded," he went on consolingly. "Remember that espionage is
the only profession in which it is an honour to fail."
Philippa came a little shyly into her husband's arms, as he turned
back into the room. The tenderness in his own face, however, and
a little catch in his voice, broke down at once the wall of reserve
which had grown up between them.
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