Finally he arose, and, with an air of quick decision, as of one who had made up his mind, he stepped to the opposite wall, and touched the bell. A moment later there came a heavy step on the stairs, a knock, and without waiting for an answer, Colonel Darcy entered the room, threw himself into the most comfortable chair, and scrutinised keenly the little bundle of papers, which the Secretary was in the act of putting into an inside pocket. Stanley noticed the glance, and replied to the unspoken question, by saying abruptly:-- "It may facilitate matters between us, if I tell you that the evidence is no longer in my possession. It has been sent to the Legation." The Colonel nodded. "I should prefer this to be a purely business interview," continued the young diplomat, "and to that end I will state my case and my conditions, after which you can make any answers or comments you think best." Another nod from his companion was the only answer he received, so he accordingly proceeded. "The Executive of my government received, some time ago, information of a plot to defeat a treaty, now pending with Great Britain. The subject of this treaty was an island and sand-bar, lying at the mouth of the ---- river, on which the ---- Company have erected large mills for the manufacture of a staple product of my country. As long as we held the island, they secured by government contracts a practical monopoly of the article in question; by the cession of it to Great Britain their business would be much impaired. Do I state the case clearly?" "I've never heard it put better," replied the Colonel, with a calmness that was admirable. "Very well--we'll now proceed to the next point. The firm considered that my government's grants were worth to them, the round sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or forty thousand pounds." "In gold, sovereigns," acquiesced Darcy. "Yes, I've one of them in my possession." The Colonel nodded as usual. He evidently felt it idle to waste words in the face of such incontrovertible evidence. "This amount was to be divided among a majority of the committee, who would pass on the treaty, thus insuring its defeat. The names of the members who would receive bribes, and the amount to be given to each, being arranged beforehand--by you." Darcy's face was immovable. "I said by _you_." "I heard you." "You've nothing to say?" "The accused," said the Colonel, "is never required to convict himself." "You're quite within your rights; we'll let it pass. I make the statement; you neither affirm or deny it." "Go on," said Darcy. "You then come to Sussex to receive the funds from Mr. Riddle, the most important shareholder." "You're mistaken. Miss Fitzgerald received the money from Mr. Riddle," remarked the Colonel. "You say nothing of your part in the transaction," commented the Secretary, sternly. "I thought you wanted the truth of the matter." "I do--go on."