When the car drew up in the High Street of Rye, the four occupants were scarce able to stand, so bruised and shaken were they by their rapid passage over the rough road.
They handed the twelve pounds agreed upon to the driver, adding another as a token of their satisfaction at the speed at which he had driven them, and then enquired for the house of William Dawkins.

It was close by, and upon knocking at the door, it was opened by the man himself.
"I have a message to deliver to you, in private," O'Neil said.
The man nodded, and led the way indoors, where the letter was handed to him.
"That is all right," he said.

"My craft is always ready to set sail, at an hour's notice, and if the wind holds fair I will land you on the French coast before nightfall.

I see that your business is urgent, or you would not have put on disguises before leaving London.

I suppose you have brought other clothes to land in ?" "We have not," O'Neil said.