"By some hours, I should say," Clancey replied. "You see, we only got the
report in from France quite late. I sent your man to watch her while I
went to see Froelich. I was sure he was all right, but I wanted to
satisfy myself. By the time I reached our place I found the chief in the
deuce of a stew. Your man had got back, and reported that she'd gone.
They'd kicked up the devil's delight at Headquarters, and the chief was
out for blood. He was determined to arrest somebody, and I suggested
Ramsey, but he got purple in the face and told me he'd instructed your
people to bag Froelich. I thought this quite idiotic, but it relieved
the chief's feelings, and it was too late to do anything sensible. We
knew the ship she took; of course, she was much too clever to sail under
the English flag. Naturally we wirelessed, but they won't dare touch her.
After that last row it's hands off these Dutchmen."

"And the view of your department, Captain Clancey, is that it's useless
for us to detain Mr. Froelich?"

"Absolutely useless. I can swear to it. As I told you, I don't know him
well, but I know all about him, and I am satisfied of his complete
innocence, and that he is entirely unaware of Madame de Corantin's
objects and activities."

"Then what do you propose that we should do, Captain Clancey?"

"I propose nothing at all, Mr. Crane."

"What, after her getting those passports?"

Clancey twisted his moustache.