ow what you mean, sir," I said. "It is true that Mrs.
Smith-Lessing is my stepmother. I believe it is true, too, that she is
connected with the French Secret Police. I was there this
afternoon--you yourself sent me. But I did not tell Mrs. Smith-Lessing
the code word, and I know nothing of the disappearance of those
documents."

Then Ray moved forward and placed deliberately upon the table the roll
of papers which I had given up to him a few hours ago.

"What about these?" he asked, with biting scorn. "Tell the Duke and
Lord Cheisford where I found them! Let us hear your glib young tongue
telling the truth for once, sir."

Both the Duke and Lord Chelsford were obviously startled. Ray had
always been my friend and upholder. He spoke now with very apparent
enmity.

"Perhaps you would prefer to tell the story yourself," I answered. "I
will correct you if it is necessary."

"Very well," he answered. "I will tell the story, and a pitiful one it
is. This boy is watched, as we all know, for, owing to my folly in
ignoring his antecedents, a great trust has been reposed in him. News
was brought to me that he had been seen with his father and Mrs.
Smith-Lessing in Gattini's Restaurant. Later, that he had found his way
to their lodging. I followed him there. He may have gone there with an
errand from you, Duke, but when I arrived he was doing a little business
on his own account, and these papers were in the act of passing from him
to his father."

"What are they?" Lord Chelsford asked.

"Your Lordship may recognize them," I answered quietly. "They are a
summary of the schemes of defence of the southern ports. I was at that
moment, the moment when Colonel Ray entered, considering an offer of
five thousand pounds for them."

Even Ray was staggered at my admission, and the Duke looked as though he
could scarcely believe his ears. Lord Chelsford was busy looking
through the papers.

"You young blackguard," Ray muttered through his teeth. "After that
admission, do you still deny that you told Mrs. Smith-Lessing, or
whatever the woman calls herself, the code word for that safe?"

"Most certainly I deny it," I answered firmly. "The two things are
wholly disconnected."

The Duke sat down heavily in his chair. I knew very well that of the
three men he was the most surprised. Lord Cheisford carefully placed
the papers which he had been reading in his breast-pocket. Ray leaned
over towards him.

"Lord Chelsford," he said, "