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Updated: May 31, 2025
"That I even wish to do so," I answered, "is purely an assumption." "You are fencing with me, young man," Lord Chelsford said grimly, "and it is not worth while. Hush!" There was a rap at the door downstairs. We heard the Duke's measured tones. "I understood that Lord Chelsford was here," he said. "Lord Chelsford has left, your Grace," Grooton answered. "And Mr. Hill?"
And as regards the Prince of Malors, whatever his motive may have been, I discovered him in the act of perusing the documents relating to the subway of Portsmouth. I cannot possibly withhold my knowledge of these things from Lord Chelsford. In fact, I think it is most important that he should know of them." The Duke rose slowly to his feet. He showed no sign of anger.
The Duke struck a match, and a moment or two later we saw him strolling along the cliff side, smoking a cigarette, his hands behind him, prim, carefully dressed, walking with the measured ease of a man seeking an appetite for his dinner. He was scarcely out of sight, and Lord Chelsford was on the point of descending for his note, when my heart gave a great leap.
At the door, drawn up in front of Lord Cheisford's brougham, was a carriage with a tall footman standing facing me. I recognized him and the liveries in a moment. It was the Rowchester carriage. Some one from Rowchester House was even now with Lord and Lady Chelsford. Fresh complications, then! Had the Duke come to see me off, or had his suspicions been aroused?
"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.
With regard to the future, I have offered him his choice of an arrest on the charge of espionage, or a twelve months' cruise on the Ajax, which leaves to-morrow for China. He has chosen the latter. I shall take steps of course to see that he is not allowed to land at any calling-place, or dispatch letters." Ray smiled a little cruelly. "The idea is an excellent one, Chelsford," he said.
"It was a terribly dark night, and it is not easy to identify a hand. Besides, it was snatched away almost at once." "In your own mind, Ducaine," Chelsford said, "have you hazarded a guess as to who that unseen person might be?" "It is too serious a matter to hazard guesses about, sir," I answered.
Colonel Ray gave me to understand, of course, that your object in engaging an utterly unknown person was to try and stop this leakage of information. It is still going on, and I cannot stop it. I am quite prepared to give up my post at any moment." Lord Chelsford nodded towards the door. "Will you be so good as to step into the next room for a few minutes, Mr. Ducaine?" he said.
"I am indifferent," I answered. "I do not value my life enough to shrink from fighting for it." She turned away. "You are very young, Guy," she said, "and you talk like a very young man. You must go your own way. Send for Lord Chelsford, if you will. But remember all that it will mean. Can't you see that such stern morality as yours is the most exquisite form of selfishness? Good-bye, Guy."
You have had a warm advocate in Colonel Mostyn Ray, and, subject to some stringent and absolute conditions, I may say that we have decided to offer you the post." I looked from one to the other. I have no doubt that I looked as bewildered as I felt. "I am a complete stranger to all of you," I murmured. "I am not deserving in any way of such a position." Lord Chelsford smiled.
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