"All the inquiries I have made point to the one fact I have already suggested," the detective said. "At Scotland Yard we received a request from your Excellency that we should carefully investigate the matter, and we are doing so to the very best of our ability." "I'm sure you are. I well recollect now signing a formal request to your Department to make searching investigation." At that moment a clerk entered, bearing a file of papers, which he placed before His Excellency. "Now," exclaimed the latter, "let us see what reply we received from the police of Livorno;" and he slowly turned over letter after letter. The correspondence had evidently been considerable. Its magnitude surprised the detective. Suddenly the Count paused, and his brows contracted as he read one of the official letters. He glanced at the signature, and saw it was that of the Marquis Montelupo, Minister of Foreign Affairs at Rome. Twice he read it through. It was a long despatch, closely written, and as the Ambassador re-read it his brow darkened. Again he touched the electric bell, and a second time summoned the Secretary of Embassy. When the latter appeared His Excellency beckoned him into an inner room, and, taking the file of papers with him, left the Inspector alone with _The Times_. After the lapse of some ten minutes both men returned. "But what I desire to know, and that clearly, is, why this despatch was never handed to me," His Excellency was saying angrily as they emerged. "You were away at Scarborough, therefore I attended to it myself," the Secretary answered. "Did you not appreciate its extreme importance?" His Excellency cried impetuously. "Surely, in the interests of our diplomacy, this matter should have been placed immediately before me! This despatch, a private one from the Minister, has apparently been lying about the Embassy for the servants or any chance caller to read. The thing's disgraceful! Suppose for one moment the contents of this despatch have leaked out! What would be the result?" The Secretary made no reply, but shrugged his shoulders. "Such gross carelessness on the part of any one connected with this Embassy amounts almost to treason," the Ambassador continued, livid with rage and indignation. "We are here to do our utmost to preserve the honour and prestige of our nation. Is not our national motto, `For the country and the king'? Yet, because I was absent a week, a matter of the most vital importance is calmly shelved in this manner! Moreover, it was sent by special messenger from Rome; yet it has been allowed to lie about for anybody to copy!" "Pardon me, your Excellency," exclaimed the Secretary. "The file has been kept in the private safe until this moment, and the key has never left my pocket." "Then why did you send it in here by a clerk, and not bring it yourself?" was His Excellency's withering retort.