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The lines about his mouth were deeper, his eyes had lost much of their keen brightness. I found myself wondering whether, after all, some suspicion of Lord Blenavon's doings had found its way to him. "You are well forward with your work, I trust, Mr. Ducaine?" he said at last. "It is completed, your Grace," I answered. "The proposed subway fortifications as well as the new battery stations?"
"Your Grace," I answered, "you ask me very hard things." He looked at me with his clear cold eyes. "Surely not too hard, Mr. Ducaine," he said. "I ask you to accept my judgment. Consider for a moment. You are a young man, little more than a boy. I for forty years have been a servant of my country, both in the field and as a lawmaker. I am a Cabinet Minister.
There is a rank traitor either on the Military Board or closely connected with the Duke's household. He does not know it, nor do they know it, but everyone of his servants has been vigorously and zealously watched without avail. The circle has been drawn closer and closer, Mr. Ducaine. Down in Braster you may be able to help me in narrowing it down till only one person is within it. Listen!"
There is hidden colour everywhere if one looks closely enough, and I suppose it is true that the most beautiful things in the world are those which remain just below the surface a little invisible until one searches for them. By-the-bye, Mr. Ducaine," she added, "if you are on your way home I can show you a path which will save you nearly half the distance."
He took me by the arm. "I have been waiting for you, Ducaine," he said. "I was afraid that I might miss you, or I should have come down." "I am on my way to the Duke," I said, "and my business is urgent." "So is mine," he said grimly. "I want to know exactly what has passed between you and the Prince of Malors." "I am not at all sure, Colonel Ray," I answered, "that I am at liberty to tell you.
I have done all that is humanly possible. It goes without saying that my resignation is yours whenever you choose to ask for it." The Duke sat down and looked at me thoughtfully. "Ducaine," he said, "I believe in you." I drew a little breath of relief. The Duke was a hard man and a man of few words.
Then I heard her call to him softly. She was standing by my bookcase. "Do you see this?" she murmured. "'Guy Ducaine, Magdalen, and the college coat of arms. They must belong to him, for that is his name." I did not hear his answer, but directly afterwards a little exclamation escaped him. "By Jove, what luck! I have my flask with me, after all. Is there a spoon there, Lady Angela?"
I abandoned the subject then and there. But as I left the room I came face to face with Blenavon, who was loitering outside. He at once detained me. His manner since the morning had altered. He addressed me now with hesitation, almost with respect. "Can you spare me a few minutes, Mr. Ducaine?" he asked. "I will not detain you long." "I am at your service, Lord Blenavon," I answered.
"And early the next morning I reported to the Duke that the papers had been tampered with." There was a dead silence for several moments. Lord Chelsford glanced at the Duke, who sat there imperturbable, with a chill, mirthless smile at the corner of his lips. Then he looked again at me, as though he had not heard aright. "Will you kindly repeat that, Mr. Ducaine?" he said.
If you should have further cause to suspect the Prince of Malors or anybody else, communicate with me or with Ray. The Duke is, of course, a man of ability and an honourable man, but he is prejudiced in favour of his friends. Some of us others have had to learn our lessons of life, and men, in a sharper school. You understand me, Mr. Ducaine, I am sure." "I perfectly understand, sir," I answered.
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