being
overheard. Ah, but I wanted to see that masked face! I said twice as
she spoke: 'Be careful. You mistake me.' She took not the least notice
of my caution. Then at last I said: 'Pray sit down. It was--it is
clear, madame, that all concerned or who may concern themselves, with
this matter must feel absolute security that there will be no weakness
anywhere. After what you have said, and with entire trust in you, we
shall at all risks see this thing through.' She said, 'Thank you,'
and did sit down.

"Then I went on: 'I want to ask you a question or two. Did the count
recognize you?'

"'I was not sure at the time, but he must have at least suspected me,
for he called next day at an unusually early hour, insisted on seeing
me, and frankly told me that on the night before, during the fire, a
document had been stolen from his table. He had remembered me as near
to the office. Did I know anything about it? I said, "How could I?" I
was dreadfully scared, but I replied that I had certainly gone through
his office and had left both doors open. Then he said, "It is too
grave a matter for equivocation, and I ask, Did you take it?" I said I
was insulted, and upon this he lost his temper and threatened all
manner of consequences.'

X

"To cut it short, Greville, she refused to be questioned, and, I
fancy, lied rather more plainly than she was willing to admit to me.
He went away furious and reasonably sure, or so I think, that she had
the papers."

"I see," said I. "He had been careless. Of course, he hesitated for a
day or two to confess his loss. But what about those papers? Where are
they? She ought to have taken them at once to the legation."

"Yes, but that is easily explained. The count called early, and after
that she felt sure that she would be promptly arrested. He was too
ashamed to go at once to any such length. He must be an indecisive
man. At all events, he took no positive action until after our
encounter and her escape, when he became still more sure where she
was going and why. You see, he lacked the good sense to confess
instantly to the head of his office. Arrest would have been
instantaneous. He waited, ashamed to confess, and I presume did not
fully inform the police he called in. Now, I suppose, he has had to
confess his loss to his superiors."

"But these papers?" said I.

"Well, don't hurry me. When she got home that night and read the
papers she had--well, taken, she saw their enormou