At the exit he faced about and sharply saluted.  The Master returned it.  Then he vanished, and the door noiselessly closed behind them.

The Master turned to Bohannan.

“Now,” said he, “these few last details.  Time is growing very short.  Only a few hours remain.  To work, Major—­to work!”

At this same moment Auchincloss had already arrived at his rooms in the McAlpine; and there, having carefully locked his door, had settled himself at his desk with his sealed box before him.

For a moment he studied it under the electric light.  Then, breaking the wax with fingers tensed by eagerness, he tore it open.  He spread the contents on his blotting-pad.  There was a small pocket-compass of the best quality, a plain-cased watch wound up and going, a map and a folded sheet of paper covered with typewriting.  Auchincloss fell to reading: 

GENERAL ORDERS

You are to learn your specific orders by heart, and then destroy this paper.  You are to act on these orders, irrespective of every other man.  You are not to communicate the contents of this paper to any other.  This might upset the pre-arranged plan.  You might try to join forces, assist each other, or exercise some mistaken judgment that might result in ruin.  Each man is to keep his orders an absolute secret.  This is vital.

Each man, like yourself, is provided with a map, a watch, and a compass.  These watches are all self-luminous, all accurately adjusted to synchronize to the second, and all will run forty-eight hours.

SPECIFIC ORDERS

Tomorrow, proceed inconspicuously to Tenafly, New Jersey, and hire a room at the Cutter Inn.  Carry your kit in a suit-case.  At 7:30 p.m., go to Englewood.  Go up Englewood Avenue toward the Palisades, turn left (north) along the road near edge of cliff; proceed half a mile and enter woods at your right.  There you will find path marked “A” on your map.  Put on rucksack and discard suit-case, which, of course, is to have no identifying marks.  Proceed along path to point “B,” and from under board you will find there take box with weapon enclosed.  Box will also contain vacuum searchlight and directions for use of weapon, exact time, direction, and elevation for discharging same, and further instructions how to proceed.  Act on these to the second.  If interfered with, kill; but kill quietly, so as to avoid giving the alarm.

I expect every man to do his duty to the full.  There will be but one excuse for failure, and that is death.

The Master.

CHAPTER V

IN THE NIGHT

The night was moonless, dark, warm with the inviting softness of late spring that holds out promises of romance.  Stars wavered and wimpled in the black waters of the Hudson as a launch put out in silence from the foot of Twenty-seventh Street.