It was rather late on the afternoon of the same day that Ashton-Kirk, accompanied by young Fuller, entered a government building at Washington. Apparently the secret agent was expected, for he was ushered into the same superbly appointed office as upon his former visit; and the same ruddy-faced, white-haired official greeted him.
"So," said the latter, "the hunt has brought you here."
Ashton-Kirk tossed his gloves and hat upon the desk and shook hands.
"That," said he, "is now the status of the affair--it's a hunt; and the pack is an assorted one and in full cry."
"We received your wire yesterday, and the department's agents at once went to work."
"Oh, yes, of course. She did not make the slightest attempt to hide. As soon as she arrived in the city she went to the Tillinghast and placed her own name upon the register. And since arriving there she has not once gone out."
"No. But about noon a message arrived for her. And our man recognized the messenger as one connected with, curiously enough--the German Embassy."
A peculiar expression came into the face of Ashton-Kirk. He sat looking at the secretary for a moment; and then the latter saw a slow smile gradually creep about his mouth. He took a note-book from his pocket, and glanced at some memoranda.
"Of course," said he, after a moment, "you have the names and biographies of the various persons attached to the foreign embassies?"
"If it is not too much trouble, I should like to see a list of the German officials."
The secretary touched a bell; an attendant heard his wants, disappeared, and in a few moments reappeared, placing a small book upon the desk. The secret agent took it up, and his long, inquiring finger ran down a column of names.
"Von Marc," he read, "Stelzner, Konig, Dietz." Then the finger paused. "Von Steinmetz," said he. "Page twenty-nine." He turned the pages until he came to the one indicated; and what he found there he read with attention. When he had finished he laid the volume upon the desk.
"To have Germany drawn into this matter," said he, "will of course complicate matters."
"You expect that she _will_ be drawn into it?" and the secretary looked at him inquiringly. The secret agent nodded, and the secretary continued: "To have a certain document fall into her hands might lead to nothing--and then again it might lead to a great deal."
