Part 12 (1/2)
”We ranted They are not stupid, and the matter as it stands is for them, to say the least, aard”
”Yes, sir, and they will knohat a man of sense should do with these papers and do at once I may assume, then, that the whole resources of the imperial police will be used, and without scruple, to prevent the London”
”Yes,” said the chief, ”of that we may be certain”
”And if now,” said Merton, ”soo with them to London, there is a fair probability of the --we may say--mislaid, on the way”
”It is possible,” said the minister, ”quite possible”
”I think, sir,” said I, ”that is probable, oh, quite certain, and we cannot accept the least risk of their being lost No copies will answer”
”No As you all are aware--as we all know, Captain Merton, affairs are at a crisis The evidence must be complete, past doubt or dispute, such as to enable Mr Adams to speak decisively--and he will”
”May I, sir,” said Merton, ”venture to further suggest that some one, say the first secretary, take a dummy envelop marked 'Important and confidential,' addressed to Mr Adams, and be not too careful of it while he crosses the Channel?”
”Well,” said the , ”what next?”
”He will be robbed on the way, or soet there”
”No They will stop at nothing,” said I
”I ought to tell you,” said the arde is sure to be arrested” (as in fact did occur) ”She will be subject to one of those cruel cross-examinations which are so certain to break doitness If this should happen before we can act, they will be so secure of e shall do that--”
Merton interrupted hi from her That is an exceptional wolance at him He was deeply distressed, as I saw, and added: ”You will, I trust, sir, stand by her They can prove nothing, and she will hold her tongue and resolutely”
”I will do all in my power; rest assured of that But what next? The papers! Mr Adaain venture?”
”Pray do”
”I have or can have an errand in Belgium Give me the papers They will reach their destination if I am alive, and, so far, I at leastwill leak out and be such as to safeguard iued to satisfy a gentleman named Porthos, who thinks himself injured”
”Porthos!” exclaimed the minister ”Why, that is a character in one of Du pardon; we call him Porthos Mr Greville will explain later He is the Baron la Garde An absurd affair”
”I deeply regret it,” said the minister ”I hoped it was settled But you may be hurt, and, pardon me, killed”
”In that case my second, Lieutenant West of our navy, will have the papers and carry them to London Count le Moyne is one of the baron's seconds He will hardly dream that he is an escort of the papers he lost But, sir, one word arde is an American You will not desert her?”
”Not I Rest easy as to that We owe her too ret, deeply regret this duel,” said our chief, ”but it does see our purpose”