Griffiths set his teeth hard, but his hand wandered towards the back of his belt.
"I am now," Sir Henry continued, "going to announce to you a piece of news, over which we shall all be gloating when to-morrow morning's newspapers are issued, but which is not as yet generally known.

During last night, a considerable squadron of German cruisers managed to cross the North Sea and found their way to a certain port of considerable importance to us." Lessingham started, His face was drawn as though with pain.

He had the air of one who shrinks from the news he is about to hear.
"Incidentally," Sir Henry continued, "three-quarters of the squadron also found their way to the bottom of the sea, and the other quarter met our own squadron, lying in wait for their retreat, and will not return." Lessingham swayed for a moment upon his feet.

One could almost fancy that Sir Henry's tone was tinged with pity as he turned towards him.
"The chart of the mine field of which you possessed yourself," he said, "which it was the object of your visit here to secure, was a chart specially prepared for you.

You see, our own Secret Service is not altogether asleep.