"When the Company found, thanks to your conversation with, and infatuation for, Miss Fitzgerald, that you had in all probability been set to spy upon us, it was deemed better that I should play a subordinate part," continued Darcy. "Accordingly she was selected to do all the dirty work in this country--collect the money and forward it to London." "What part did Kingsland play?" "None whatever, except that of carrier. I sounded him some weeks ago, and found him too loose-tongued for our purposes. It was Belle's scheme to let him take the treasure to town, and he actually believed the cock-and-bull story she told him about the stereopticon slides." "As soon as you recovered your lost letter of instructions, you intended to go to London, draw out the forty thousand pounds, embark for my country, and distribute the bribes," resumed Stanley, "but, unfortunately for you, your plans are upset entirely. I have in my possession not only your letter of instructions, but also the name of the bank in which the money now lies, and where it can be detained at my orders." At this point the Colonel's reserve entirely broke down. "You hold all the trumps, damn you!" he cried. "Give me your terms and conditions." "It's not the intention of my government to prosecute the corrupt members of the cabinet for a variety of reasons, which, even with your views on the subject of honour, you'll undoubtedly approve." Darcy flushed, but said nothing. "In the first place," continued the Secretary, "the Executive has no desire to wash the government's dirty linen in public, and the story is not so creditable that it should be spread abroad. All that is needed is to insure the passage of the treaty; and it is thought, and thought rightly, that a warning to the opposition, if the true facts are known, and can be proved if necessary, would be quite sufficient to remove their obstruction. Of course, the more overwhelming the proof, the more potent the warning; and, while it's not necessary, understand that, I should prefer your signed confession to round out my case." "What do you offer in return?" "Immunity from prosecution." "Is that all?" "_All!_ Colonel Darcy, I'd have you to know that it's left entirely to my discretion how to proceed against you. I have it in my power to order your arrest, with a certain term of imprisonment at hard labour." "Would my evidence be used publicly?" "I think I can assure against that in any case." "What assurance have I that your government will play me fair if I turn state's evidence?" Stanley thought a moment, and then handed him the Minister's open letter. The Colonel perused it, nodded quietly, and said:-- "It will do. I accept the terms. Damn it, I can't do otherwise! Give me pen, ink, and paper. What do you want me to write?" "In substance what I've said to you." "Very well." "Kindly leave out all reference, by name, to Lieutenant Kingsland and Miss Fitzgerald." "Ha! I suppose you still think she's an angel."