“Unfortunately that is so,” Goslin answered.  “There is every evidence that we owe our present peril to her initiative.  She and her father are on bad terms, and it seems more than probable that though she is no longer at Glencardine she has somehow contrived to get hold of the documents in question—­at the instigation of her lover, we believe.”

“How do you know that the documents are stolen?” the Baron asked.

“Because three days ago Sir Henry received an anonymous letter bearing the postmark of ‘London, E.C.,’ enclosing correct copies of the papers which our friend Volkonski brought from Petersburg, and asking what sum he was prepared to pay to obtain repossession of the originals.  On receipt of the letter,” continued Goslin, “I rushed to the safe, to find the papers gone.  The door had been unlocked and relocked by an unknown hand.”

“And how does suspicion attach to the girl’s lover?” asked the man from Hamburg.

“Well, he was alone in the library for half an hour about five days before.  He called to see Sir Henry while he and I were out walking together in the park.  It is believed that the girl has a key to the safe, which she handed to her lover in order that he might secure the papers and sell them in Russia.”

“But young Murie is the son of a wealthy man, I’ve heard,” observed the Baron.

“Certainly.  But at present his allowance is small,” was Goslin’s reply.

“Well, what’s to be done?” inquired the Italian.

“Done?” echoed Goslin.  “Nothing can be done.”

“Why?” they all asked almost in one breath.

“Because Sir Henry has replied, refusing to treat for the return of the papers.”

“Was that not injudicious?  Why did he not allow us to discuss the affair first?” argued the Levantine.

“Because an immediate answer by telegraph to a post-office in Hampshire was demanded,” Goslin replied.  “Remember that to Sir Henry’s remarkable foresight all our prosperity has been due.  Surely we may trust in his judicious treatment of the thief!”

“That’s all very well,” protested Volkonski; “but my fortune is at stake.  If the Ministry obtains those letters they will crush and ruin me.”

“Sir Henry is no novice,” remarked the Baron.  “He fights an enemy with his own weapons.  Remember that Greek deal of which the girl gained knowledge.  He actually prepared bogus contracts and correspondence for the thief to steal.  They were stolen, and, passing through a dozen hands, were at last offered in Athens.  The Ministry there laughed at the thieves for their pains.  Let us hope the same result will be now obtained.”

“I fear not,” Goslin said quietly.  “The documents stolen on the former occasion were worthless.  The ones now in the hands of our enemies are genuine.”

“But,” said the Baron, “you, Goslin, went to live at Glencardine on purpose to protect our poor blind friend from his enemies!”