“I will do all in my power to pull you out of the affair,” Nick assured him. “Tell me, now, whether the document is of the nature you had feared. Is this secret compact in any way a menace to this country?” “No, thank God, it is not,” Senator Barclay said fervently. “I am relieved to that extent, at least.” “All that really is involved in the lost document, then, is the exposure that threatens you and Lady Deland.” “Is that not enough?” “Quite enough, Senator Barclay, and then some,” Nick admitted. “You said, I think, that she sent you a letter with the document.” “Yes.” “By mail?” “No, indeed. Both were brought here by her butler, Hawley, who was entirety ignorant of what the package contained.” “What did she say in the letter?” “Only a few lines, directing me to take the utmost care of the document, and reminding me of the terrible consequences in event of its loss.” “That would be quite enough for any knavish person into whose hands it might fall,” Nick said, with grim dryness. “I know of no person who would be more quick to take advantage of it than Andy Margate. Did Lady Deland sign her full name to the letter?” “She did.” “Have you communicated with her this morning?” “Not yet,” groaned Senator Barclay, nervously wringing his hands. “I have been trying to get hold of you. How can I tell her? How can I inform her, Carter, that----” “You’re not going to inform her, Senator Barclay. You must keep perfectly quiet and leave this matter to me. It now is eleven o’clock. I will see Lady Deland as quickly as possible. Write me a letter of introduction, senator, and I’ll be off at once.” “But what do you intend----” “Don’t ask me what I intend doing,” Nick interrupted. “I don’t know myself, at present, save that I must see Lady Deland without needless delay.” Senator Barclay hastened to write the desired note, saying while he gave it to the detective: “Do you really mean, Nick, that I must do nothing more in this matter?” “Absolutely nothing until you have heard from me,” Nick said impressively. “I now know positively that Andy Margate lives, and I’m out to get him. In getting him, Senator Barclay, I shall probably get the letter and document that are of such vast importance to you. Whether it can be done in time to avert the peril that threatens you and Lady Deland remains to be seen. It certainly cannot be accomplished by prolonging this discussion. I must hasten to see Lady Deland.” CHAPTER VII. SUSPICIONS VERIFIED. Chick Carter, following the instructions Nick had given him, readily obtained from Doctor Nolan the vial from which Andy Margate had swallowed most of the supposed poison with which he was thought to have committed suicide when cornered by the detectives, yet which evidently had resulted in the extraordinary case brought to Nick’s notice early the following morning, and the true inwardness of which he had been so quick to suspect.