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Updated: May 1, 2025
You understand that the representatives of great nations often have to take steps which, as private citizens, they would never think of." "Yes," she answered, "I understand. There is no more to be said. Good-day." There was a step and the sound of the door closing. She had gone. Alcatrante and the Japanese looked at each other. "We have not failed yet," said Alcatrante in French.
"I came to that conclusion late last night," he said. "I do not deny that it would have pleased me to carry the affair through by myself." "Yes, your position would then have been stronger." The Japanese smiled faintly. "But," continued Alcatrante, with a slight grimace, "the activity of your men made that impossible. I have no lieutenants such as yours."
But no; she would gather from the situation in which she found her enemies that the envelope had not been out of their possession since it was taken from the tree. Orme shut his lips together hard. Her doubt of him would have to be endured, even though it shattered his pleasant dream of her complete and sympathetic understanding. Alcatrante, meantime, was studying the girl with curious eyes.
Slowly he turned back. He thought of notifying the police, but, after all, he was none the worse off except for his promise to Poritol and Alcatrante, now involuntarily broken. He must explain to them as best he could. The marked bill had been of no consequence to him except as a focus of adventure. And he had had about as much adventure as he could expect for one evening.
Probably the intention was to make Orme prisoner for as long a period as possible and, in any event, to gain time enough to communicate with Poritol and the Japanese and whatever other persons might be helping in the struggle to regain the papers. The probabilities were that Alcatrante had been using the last two hours to get in touch with his friends.
In the light of an electric lamp across the street he discerned faintly a motionless figure; without hesitation he crossed the pavement, recognizing Alcatrante more clearly as he left the dazzle of the store. The minister did not budge. His face, as Orme approached, was cold and expressionless. "Senhor," exclaimed Orme, "does your trade include murder?" "Not at all. Why do you ask, Mr. Orme?"
He said all this in the most casual tone, retaining his hold on Orme's elbow as though his attitude were familiar and friendly. Perhaps he was thus detailing his own adventures merely to gain time; or perhaps he was endeavoring to puzzle Orme. But Orme was simply annoyed. He knew how dangerous Alcatrante could be. "I am tired of being followed, Senhor," he said disgustedly, freeing his elbow.
Nothing had been taken, but the orderly arrangement of his effects had been disturbed. His conclusion was that Alcatrante had bribed the fellow to go much farther than official zeal demanded.
Orme groped his way to the door and tugged at the handle. The door would not open; built with air-tight nicety, it did not budge in the least. This was as Orme had expected. He knew that Alcatrante would have shot the bolt.
It was as if they said, "In view of our failure we might as well make a clean breast of it." But Alcatrante was too cunning to take the initiative in confession. He left that to the Japanese, who spoke unhesitatingly. "The only papers in the envelope were these." He picked up the torn prospectuses from the floor and held them extended in his hand. "Our surprise is as great as yours."
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