“It’s all right,” Malone said. “I do.” He drew Boyd aside for a second, and whispered to him: “The cops were ready to charge these three clowns with everything in the book. We had a hell of a time springing them so we could go on watching them. I remember the stir-up, though I never did know their names until now.” Boyd nodded, and they returned to Brubitsch, who was staring up at them with surly eyes. “It is a secret you are telling him,” Brubitsch said. “That is not right.” “What do you mean, it’s not right?” Malone said. “It is wrong,” Brubitsch went on. “It is not the American way.” He went on, with some prodding, to tell about the activities of the spy ring. It did not seem to be a very efficient spy ring; Brubitsch’s long sad tale of forgotten messages, mixed orders, misplaced documents and strange mishaps was a marvel and a revelation to the listening officers. “I’ve never heard anything like it,” one of them whispered in a tone of absolute wonder. “They’re almost working on our side.” Over an hour later, Malone turned wearily away from the prisoner. “All right, Brubitsch,” he said. “I guess that pretty much covers things for the moment. If we want any more information, though—” “Call on me,” Brubitsch said sadly. “I am not going anyplace. And I will give you all the information you desire. But I did not commit any murders.” “Goodbye, small child,” Malone said, as two agents led the fat man away. The other two left soon afterward, and Malone and Boyd were alone. “Think he was telling the truth?” Boyd said. Malone nodded. “Nobody,” he said, “could make up a story like that.” “I suppose so,” Boyd said, and the phone rang. Malone picked it up. “Well?” he asked. “He was telling the truth, all right,” Her Majesty said. “There are a few more details, of course, like the girl Brubitsch was involved with, Sir Kenneth. But she doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the spy ring, and besides, she isn’t a very nice person. She always wants money.” “Sounds perfectly lovely,” Malone said. “As a matter of fact, I think I know her. I know a lot of girls who always want money. It seems to be in fashion.” “You don’t know this one, Sir Kenneth,” Her Majesty said, “and besides, she wouldn’t be a good influence on you.” Malone sighed. “How about the static explosions?” he said. “Pick up any more?” “No,” she said. “Just that one.” Malone nodded at the receiver. “All right,” he said. “We’re going to bring in the second one now. Keep up the good work.” He hung up. “Who’ve you got in the observation room?” Boyd asked. “Queen Elizabeth I,” Malone said. “Her Royal Majesty.” “Oh,” Boyd said without surprise. “Well, was Brubitsch telling the truth?”