It was certainly a mystery to which he was unable to offer any solution, but which, nevertheless, caused him a vague uneasiness. He drew up an arm-chair beside the table, and lighting his lamp, prepared to seek distraction in a book. The Secretary had scarcely settled to his reading, however, when he was startled by a sharp click against his window. At first he thought nothing of it, but at a repetition of the noise, plainly produced by a pebble thrown up against the glass, he opened the casement and looked out. The night was very dark, and he could see nothing; but out of the blackness below him came a voice, which he thought he recognised, calling his name softly. "Why, John!" he cried, scarcely believing it could be the Legation factotum. "What on earth are you doing here at this time of night?" "Special message from 'is h'Excellency, sir," came in the familiar cockney of the messenger, with the added caution, "don't speak so loud, please--it's that private--" Stanley nodded, quite oblivious of the fact that he was invisible, and added in lowered tones: "Go round to the front, and I'll come down and let you in." He cautiously made his way downstairs, pausing at every creaking board in fear that he had awakened the household, and traversing the long hall, opened the great front door, and admitted the shivering John; for the night was cool, and several hours of watching and waiting had chilled the messenger thoroughly. "How long have you been out there?" "Since ten, sir." "Good Heavens! and it's past midnight! Come up to my room, and I'll give you some whiskey." "Thank ye, sir. I shan't mind a drop--it's that cold, but I'll take off me boots first." "Take off your boots!" "'Is h'Excellency was most par-ti'cler, sir, as no one but you should know as I was 'ere." "Oh, I see. Very well. Leave them at the foot of the stairs. You'll find these flags rather cold for stocking-feet." A few minutes later John was installed in the Secretary's bedroom, and his inner man was being warmed and refreshed with a copious dram of whiskey--while Stanley, seated at his table, was breaking the seals of the despatch which the messenger had brought him. "It's most secret, sir." "Quite so. How did you know which was my room?" "The lady of the 'ouse, sir, employs the hinnkeeper's daughter to 'elp the 'ousekeeper day times--and so----" "I see; very clever, John. Eh! what's this?" and bending forward to the light he read the now opened dispatch. It was short and to the point. "Dear Mr. Stanley," wrote the Minister. "This is to inform you that we have discovered the silent partner in the firm, who is the chief instrument in putting up the money to defeat the treaty. His name is Arthur Riddle. He is a guest of your hostess, and should be watched. Darcy left for Sussex this afternoon, presumably for your neighbourhood. Kindly report progress, if any, sending letter by John, who should return at once.