Her heart beating high, she read the paper through twice to familiarize herself with the instructions which she perfectly understood. Then she found a matchbox on the candlestick, put the paper in the hearth and burned it. After that she sat at the table and ate. It was there that Captain von Winden found her some moments later when he came to request her presence in the room on the ground floor. * * * * * During the time that Doris slept, in the living-room downstairs General von Stromberg sat with John Rizzio. A peaceful winter landscape looked in at the windows, the sun slanted in a yellow rhomboid upon the floor, a cheerful fire was burning upon the hearth and General von Stromberg, his left hand tapping gently upon the back of his right, was gravely listening to John Rizzio’s story. All of the pieces of the little game were upon the board. He was now about to move them skillfully from one square to another until only one piece remained, and that one piece, the victor in all such games, was--himself. “And what was his manner,” went on von Stromberg, “when you showed your credentials?” “He was surprised--very much surprised--and I think alarmed.” “And what arguments did you use to make him give the packet up?” “I threatened him with serious consequences.” “Which meant _me_,” said von Stromberg grimly. “Yes, Excellenz. But he refused without other grounds than his own judgment.” “And then----” “Excellenz, Fräulein Mather came in. She heard something from behind the curtain--but she gave no sign.” “Oh! She is clever?” “Exceptionally so. I have brought her here of my own volition and she will speak if properly approached, but I hope Excellenz will be pleased to make the interview as easy for her as possible. If any harm should come to her----” “It is not the practice of my department to do hurt to women,” said the General quickly. Then he laughed. “I suspect, Herr Rizzio, that you have a tenderness in that quarter.” “It is true. I hope, therefore, that you will be patient with her.” Von Stromberg waved his hand impatiently. “And what happened then?” “Hammersley and Miss Mather went out. I remained in the smoking-room and then telephoned to Maxwell to send his men at once. They came. I met them outside the house before Hammersley emerged and gave them my instructions to follow Hammersley’s machine and get the papers.” The older man started forward, his long acquisitive nose eagerly scenting a clue. “And how long was it after they left the smoking-room for the machine?” Rizzio pulled at his mustache a moment thoughtfully. “I could not say exactly,” he said after a time. “A matter of half an hour perhaps.” “Did you know what Herr Hammersley was doing in the meanwhile?” “No. I could not say. I telephoned first and then went out. The guests were all in the drawing-room.” “Did you go up to the library?” Rizzio showed surprise. “No, Excellenz.”