The officers, after putting him through a rather rigid examination,
held private consultation over Peter. To Barnes's surprise and
subsequent dismay, they announced that there was nothing to be gained
by holding the man; he was at liberty to depart with his employer,
provided he would report when necessary.
Barnes was some time in fathoming the motive behind this seeming
indifference on the part of the secret service men. It came to him
like a flash, and its significance stunned him. They had decided that
there was more to be gained by letting Peter Ames think he was above
suspicion than by keeping him on the anxious seat. Peter unrestrained
was of more value to them than Peter in durance vile. And from that
moment forward there would not be an hour of the day or night when he
was far ahead of the shadower who followed his trail. There would be a
sly, invisible pursuer at his heels, and an eye ever ready to detect
the first false move that he made. They were counting on Peter to lead
them, in his own good time, to the haunts of his comrades. He could
not escape. And he could make the fatal mistake of considering them a
pack of fools!
Barnes, perceiving all this, was in a state of perturbation.
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