“What are they?” Lord Chelsford asked.

“Your Lordship may recognize them,” I answered quietly.  “They are a summary of the schemes of defence of the southern ports.  I was at that moment, the moment when Colonel Ray entered, considering an offer of five thousand pounds for them.”

Even Ray was staggered at my admission, and the Duke looked as though he could scarcely believe his ears.  Lord Chelsford was busy looking through the papers.

“You young blackguard,” Ray muttered through his teeth.  “After that admission, do you still deny that you told Mrs. Smith-Lessing, or whatever the woman calls herself, the code word for that safe?”

“Most certainly I deny it,” I answered firmly.  “The two things are wholly disconnected.”

The Duke sat down heavily in his chair.  I knew very well that of the three men he was the most surprised.  Lord Cheisford carefully placed the papers which he had been reading in his breast-pocket.  Ray leaned over towards him.

“Lord Chelsford,” he said, “and you, Duke, you took this young man on trust, and I pledged my word for him.  Like many a better man, I made a mistake.  For all that we know he has secret copies of all the work he has done for us, ready to dispose of.  What in God’s name, are we going to do with him?”

“What do you suggest?” Lord Chelsford asked softly.

“My way would not be yours,” Ray answered, with a hard laugh.  “I am only half civilized, you know, and if he and I were alone in the desert at this moment I would shoot him without remorse.  Such a breach of trust as this deserves death.”

“We are, unfortunately,” Lord Cheisford remarked, “not in a position to adopt such extreme measures.  It would not even be wise for us to attempt to formulate a legal charge against him.  The position is somewhat embarrassing.  What do you suggest, Duke?”

I glanced towards the Duke, and I was surprised to see that his hands were shaking.  For a man who rarely displayed feeling the Duke seemed to be wonderfully affected.

“I can suggest nothing,” he answered in a low tone.  “I must confess that I am bewildered.  These matters have developed so rapidly.”

Lord Cheisford looked thoughtful for a moment.

“I have a plan in my mind,” he said slowly.  “Duke, should I be taking a liberty if I asked to be left alone with this young man for five minutes?”

The Duke rose slowly to his feet.  He had the air of one not altogether approving of the suggestion.  Ray glowered upon us both, but offered no objection.  They left the room together.  Lord Cheisford at once turned to me.

“Ducaine,” he said, “forgive me that I did not come to your aid.  I will see that you do not suffer later on.  But what in Heaven’s name is the meaning of this last abstraction’ from the safe?”

I shook my head.

“The woman could never have guessed the word!” I said.