“Professor Wynward,” said Battle. “Exactly. I remember perfectly now. He must be wired to, immediately.” “I have done so, Mr. Lomax, an hour ago. He will arrive by the 12.10.” “Oh, very good, very good. Thank Heaven, something is off my mind. I shall have to be in town to-day. You can get along without me, I suppose?” “I think so, sir.” “Well, do your best, Battle, do your best. I am terribly rushed just at present.” “Just so, sir.” “By the way, why did not Mr. Eversleigh come over with you?” “He was still asleep, sir. We’ve been up all night, as I told you.” “Oh, quite so. I am frequently up nearly the whole night myself. To do the work of thirty-six hours in twenty-four, that is my constant task! Send Mr. Eversleigh over at once when you get back, will you, Battle?” “I will give him your message, sir.” “Thank you, Battle. I realize perfectly that you had to repose a certain amount of confidence in him. But do you think it was strictly necessary to take my cousin, Mrs. Revel, into your confidence also?” “In view of the name signed to those letters, I do, Mr. Lomax.” “An amazing piece of effrontery,” murmured George, his brow darkened as he looked at the bundle of letters. “I remember the late King of Herzoslovakia. A charming fellow, but weak—deplorably weak. A tool in the hands of an unscrupulous woman. Have you any theory as to how these letters came to be restored to Mr. Cade?” “It’s my opinion,” said Battle, “that if people can’t get a thing one way—they try another.” “I don’t quite follow you,” said George. “This crook, this King Victor, he’s well aware by now that the Council Chamber is watched. So he’ll let us have the letters, and let us do the decoding, and let us find the hiding-place. And then—trouble! But Lemoine and I between us will attend to that.” “You’ve got a plan, eh?” “I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’ve got a plan. But I’ve got an idea. It’s a very useful thing sometimes, an idea.” Thereupon Superintendent Battle took his departure. He had no intention of taking George any further into his confidence. On the way back, he passed Anthony on the road and stopped. “Going to give me a lift back to the house?” asked Anthony. “That’s good.” “Where have you been, Mr. Cade?” “Down to the station to inquire about trains.” Battle raised his eyebrows. “Thinking of leaving us again?” he inquired. “Not just at present,” laughed Anthony. “By the way what’s upset Isaacstein? He arrived in the car just as I left, and he looked as though something had given him a nasty jolt.” “Mr. Isaacstein?” “Yes.” “I can’t say, I’m sure. I fancy it would take a good deal to jolt him.” “So do I,” agreed Anthony. “He’s quite one of the strong silent yellow men of finance.” Suddenly Battle leant forward and touched the chauffeur on the shoulder. “Stop, will you? And wait for me here.”