“Are you sure that Herr Hammersley was in the drawing-room with the others when you went out?” “Yes, Excellenz. I am sure of it. There was no reason for him to be anywhere else.” “There was no chance of his going upstairs to the library for ten--fifteen minutes--without your seeing him?” Rizzio straightened and pulled at his mustache. “Excellenz, I think I understand the object of your questions. It is not possible that Herr Hammersley could have made a copy of the papers at Lady Heathcote’s house.” Von Stromberg paused a moment, then he asked: “How long after you left the door of the house before he came out with the lady?” “Scarcely more than ten minutes.” The General’s fingers tapped more rapidly. “Oh,” he growled, “I see.” And then, “Tell me how the matter was arranged that Captain Byfield should deliver those papers.” “Maxwell managed it through a cipher. The War Office had grown suspicious and all the usual channels were closed. Byfield was frightened and refused to deliver further messages. So Maxwell hit upon the scheme of the cigarette papers to be delivered to Hammersley. I could not receive them from Byfield because of your instructions not to let my interests be known to anyone in England but Maxwell--you thought the time was not ripe for me to play my _coup_.” “Yes,” said von Stromberg dryly, “but the time is ripe now and you are not there to play it.” “But this affair was of such importance----” “Yes, yes,” the general broke in quickly, “go on.” “It was the day of an anniversary always celebrated for me by Lady Heathcote, whose house, as you know, is one of the most exclusive in England and above suspicion. I invited the guests and Maxwell communicated with Hammersley, arranging the manner of the exchange which was accomplished. My demand upon Hammersley was made in accordance with your orders. It was a test of his loyalty. He failed.” “Do you think he had an opportunity to glance at the papers, I mean between the time he received them and the time of your demand of him?” “Yes. He studied them for a moment behind the curtains of an alcove in the drawing-room. I was watching. I saw his shadow as he bent over to the light of the lamp.” “By that you mean he had a hope that they might be spurious?” “Yes, Excellenz. When it was discovered that there was a leak, false orders were issued to test the different departments of the War Office.” “H--m. And then, Maxwell’s men followed him, and when he was on the point of capture he turned the papers over to the lady, who escaped through the hedge?” “As I have said before, Excellenz, the lady is clever. She read the papers, but her loyalty to Hammersley kept her silent, though at that time she suspected that he was a German agent.” “I see,” said von Stromberg, manifesting a sudden activity with his fingers. “The lady is interested in Herr Hammersley?” “Yes, Excellenz.” “More interested in him, perhaps, than she is in you?” Rizzio bowed in silence.