An air of startled expectancy was manifest in the positions taken by the different members of the group. The minister's voice had sounded sharp and authoritative, and he now stepped forward a pace or two, stopping at a point where the light from one of the clubhouse windows fell full on his face. Clearly he was laboring under great excitement. "You have something to say to me?" inquired Orme. He foresaw an effort to detain him. "I am compelled to ask the ladies to leave us for a few minutes," said the minister, seriously. "There is a matter of utmos' importance." He bowed. The women, hesitating in their embarrassment, rose and walked away, leaving the half-dozen men standing in a circle. "I find myself in an awkward position," began the minister, slowly. "I am a guest of your club, and I should never dream of saying what I mus' say, were my own personal affairs alone involved. Let me urge that no one leave until I have done." For a tense moment he was silent. Then he went on: "Gentlemen, while we were talking together here, I had in my pocket certain papers of great importance to my country. In the last few minutes they have disappeared. I regret to say it--but, gentlemen, someone has taken them." There was a gasp of astonishment. "I mus' even open myself to the charge of abusing your hospitality, rather than let the matter pass. If I could only make you understand how grave it is"--he was brilliantly impressive. Just the right shade of reluctance colored his earnestness. "I have every reason to think," he continued, "that the possession of those papers would be of immense personal advantage to the man who has been sitting at my right--Mr. Orme." "This is a serious charge, Excellency," exclaimed one of the men. "I am aware of that. But I am obliged to ask you not to dismiss it hastily. My position and standing are known to you. When I tell you that these papers are of importance to my country, you can only in part realize how great that importance is. Gentlemen, I mus' ask Mr. Orme whether he has the papers." Orme saw that the minister's bold stroke was having its effect. He decided quickly to meet it with frankness. "The papers to which His Excellency refers," he said quietly, "are in my pocket." Several of the men exclaimed. "But," Orme went on, "I did not take them from His Excellency. On the contrary, his agents have for some time been using every device to steal them from me. They have failed, and now he is making a last attempt by trying to persuade you that they belong to him." "I submit that this smart answer does not satisfy my charge," cried the minister. "Do you really wish to go further?" demanded Orme. "Would you like me to explain to these men what those papers really mean?" "If you do that, you betray my country's secrets."