"If you have no objection, I will stop at the Municipal Building for a moment, Miss Thornton," said Douglas, turning the car into Thirteenth Street.
"I don't mind in the least. What a magnificent motor!"
"Isn't it?" with enthusiasm, as he steered safely between another machine and a delivery wagon. "My chief in Tokio has one just like this, and I learned to run his car."
As they crossed K Street he put on the emergency brakes hard and the motor stopped just in time, as a touring car shot in front of them and disappeared down the street. When the car was again under way, Douglas turned to the silent girl by his side.
"That was the Japanese Ambassador, was it not?"
"He seemed to be in the devil of a hurry; it was a near smash."
"A little too near for comfort." Eleanor drew a long breath. "I noticed some luggage in his car--oh, take care!" as the motor skidded toward the gutter.
"I beg your pardon, I didn't mean to frighten you," said Douglas, as he applied the brake going down Thirteenth Street hill to Pennsylvania Avenue. "That chap got on my nerves; I don't care if he is an ambassador, and exempt from arrest, he has no business to be breaking our rules and regulations."
"Come, now, didn't you break some rules when in Japan?" asked Eleanor, her lovely face dimpling into a smile. Douglas started slightly, but she apparently did not notice his discomfiture. "Judging from the luggage in the car, and the rate at which they were going, I imagine the Ambassador was trying to catch a train."
"It does look that way." Douglas brought the car to a standstill before one of the entrances to the Municipal Building. "I won't be a minute, Miss Thornton."
"Don't hurry on my account," called Eleanor after him.
Brett was still out, so Douglas gave the note he had written when waiting for Eleanor at the Carews' to the attendant, first adding a postscript and enclosing it in a large envelope, with instructions that it was to be delivered to the detective immediately on his return. Then, with a lighter heart, he hastened out of the building and rejoined Eleanor.
"Where do you wish to go, Miss Thornton?" he asked, as they started slowly up Pennsylvania Avenue.
Eleanor considered a moment before answering. "Suppose we go out the Conduit Road," she said finally.