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He is terribly industrious to-day." She smiled back to me quietly. I lingered in the hall for a minute, and Ray joined me there. He did not speak a word, but he motioned me fiercely to precede him to the library. Directly we entered it was clear that something unusual had happened. The great safe door stood open. Lord Chelsford and the Duke were both awaiting our coming.
"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.
But at that moment, without any apparent cause, he lurched over towards the cliff side, and we saw him fall. Lady Angela's cry of frenzied horror was the most awful thing I had ever heard. Lord Chelsford took her into his arms. "Climb down, Ducaine," he gasped. "I'm done!" I found the Duke on the shingles, curiously unmangled. He had the appearance of a man who had found death restful.
"And it was known to whom?" "To Lord Chelsford, yourself, Colonel Ray, and myself," I answered. "And what was there in the safe?" the Duke asked. "The plans for the Guildford Camp, the new map of Surrey pricked for fortifications, and one or two transport schemes," I answered. "Exactly! Those documents are now all missing." I strode to the safe and looked in. It was as the Duke had said.
"And yet I have certain information that from a few minutes before eleven till two o'clock not one member of the Military Board quitted the library." I bowed. "That is conclusive," I remarked. "It is remarkably inconclusive to me," Lord Chelsford remarked grimly. "Whom else save one of your friends who are all upon the Board could you possibly wish to shield?"
Lord Chelsford never removed his eyes from my face, the Duke had still the appearance of a tolerant but slightly bored listener. "Who?" Lord Chelsford asked. "The Prince of Malors," I answered. There was a moment's silence. Lord Cheisford turned again to his notes. Then he looked up at me. "Your reasons?" he asked. I told them the story carefully and circumstantially.
"Let me see it," the Duke ordered. I took off my coat, and baring my arm, showed him the ring hanging by a few inches of strong chain from the bracelet. He examined the design curiously. "How do you detach it?" he asked. "I cannot detach it, sir," I answered. "The bracelet has a Bramah lock, and Lord Chelsford has the key. He used to wear it many years ago when he was Queen's messenger."
"Ducaine," Lord Chelsford said, "I am forced to connect your refusal to hazard even a surmise as to the identity of that hand with your sudden desire to break off all connection with this matter. I am forced to come to a conclusion, Ducaine. You have discovered the truth. You know the traitor!" "On the contrary, Lord Chelsford," I answered, "I know nothing.". Later in the day he came to me again.
I tore it open with trembling fingers. The handwriting was firm and yet delicate. I knew at once whose it was. "Rowchester, Tuesday. "DEAR MR. DUCAINE, My father wishes me to say that he and Lord Chelsford will call upon you to-morrow morning, between ten and eleven o'clock. With best regards, I am, "Yours sincerely, The letter slipped from my hands on to the table.
"And you have spoken to him in a public place, perhaps?" Ray was silent for a moment. Then he looked at me keenly. "Do you want to give it up?" he asked. "No," I answered. "But do you suppose Lord Chelsford and the others would be willing for me to continue under the circumstances?" "Probably not," he admitted. "The Duke would not, at any rate." "Then what am I to do?" I asked.
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