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She had evidently ridden across country from one of the private entrances to the Park. "What is this terrible story, Mr. Ducaine?" she exclaimed. "Is there really a shipwreck? I can see no signs of it." "No shipwreck that I know of, Lady Angela," I answered. "There is a dead man here one only. I have heard of nothing else."
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.
He looked away from me into the fire. "It is a very difficult position," he declared, "very difficult indeed. The Prince has been more than a friend to Blenavon. He has been his benefactor. Of course he will deny this thing with contempt. Let me think it out, Ducaine." "By all means, your Grace," I answered, a little nettled at his undecided air.
Ducaine," he said, "who is there in the household of the Duke who opens that safe and copies those papers? Who is the traitor?" "God only knows!" I answered. "It is a hopeless mystery." "Yet we must solve it," Lord Chelsford said, "and quickly. If a single batch of genuine maps and plans were tampered with, disparities would certainly appear, and the thing might be suspected.
I had scarcely believed him capable of so much feeling. When he resumed his seat and former attitude I could see that his face was almost gray. "This is terrible news," he said. "I am not at all sure, though, Mr. Ducaine, that any blame can attach itself to you." "Your Grace," I answered, "there were three men only who knew the secret of that combination.
"I shall wire him to come here at once. With your permission, Mr. Ducaine, I will sit down for a moment. This affair has shaken me." Indeed, as the excitement passed away, I could see that he was looking ill and worn. Lady Angela made him take the easy chair, and he accepted a liqueur glass full of brandy which I poured out.
"If you prefer your own judgment to mine, Mr. Ducaine," he said, "I have no more to say. I have taken you into my confidence, and I have endeavoured to show you your most politic course of behaviour. If your views are so far opposed, you must not consider it an injustice if I decide that a person of more judgment is required successfully to conduct the duties of secretary to the Council."
I had believed from the first that Blenavon was one of my two assailants. Now I was sure of it. "When he does come back," I remarked grimly, "you may find him more or less damaged." "Mr. Ducaine," she said, "you must explain yourself." I saw no reason why I should not do so. I told her the story of my early morning adventure. She listened with quivering lips.
It has been undone and retied. The papers have been put back in a different order." The Duke was without doubt agitated. He rose from his chair and paced the room restlessly. "You are sure of what you say, Ducaine?" he demanded, turning, and facing me suddenly. "Absolutely sure, your Grace," I answered. He turned away from me. "In my own house, under my own roof," I heard him mutter. "Good God!"
Lord Chelsford rose. I followed his example. Neither the Duke nor Ray attempted any form of farewell. The former, however, laid some notes upon the table. "I believe, Mr. Ducaine," he said, "that there is a month's salary due to you. I have added something to the amount. Until to-day I have always considered your duties admirably fulfilled." I looked at the notes and at the Duke.
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