Only one man in England possessed the suave, polished delivery of the last speaker--the Right Honourable Walter Belford.
"I have misconstrued nothing; my instructions have been explicit."
"Fortunately, no further occasion exists for you to carry them out."
"A Foreign Service Messenger, Mr. Maurice Anerly, left for my capital this morning----"
"Captain Searles has been instructed to intercept him. His dispatch will not be delivered."
Inspector Sheffield, who had been vainly endeavouring to become temporarily deaf, started. Whose voice was that? Could he trust his ears?
There followed the sound as of the clapping of hands upon someone's shoulders.
"Baron Hecht, I hold a most sacred trust--the peace of nations. No one shall rob me of it. Believe me, your great master already is drafting a friendly letter----"
The musical voice again, with that vibrant, forceful note.
"In short, Baron" (Sheffield tried not to hear; for he knew this voice too), "there is a power above the Eagle, a power above the Lion: the power of wealth! Lacking her for ally, no nation can war with another! The king of that power has spoken--and declared for peace! I am glad of it, and so, I know, are you!"
Following a short interval, a shaking of hands, as the unwilling eavesdropper divined. Then, by some other door, a number of people withdrew, amid a hum of seemingly friendly conversation.
Chief Inspector Sheffield bowed very low and entered a large room, which, save for the gentleman who had admitted him, now was occupied only by the Right Hon. Walter Belford, Home Secretary.
"How do you do, Inspector?" asked Mr. Belford affably.
"Thank you, sir," replied the detective with diffidence; "I am quite well, and trust you are."
"I think I know what has brought you here," continued the Home Secretary. "You have been following----"
"As I supposed. Well, it will be expedient, Inspector, religiously to keep that name out of the Press in future! Furthermore--er--any warrant that may be in existence must be cancelled! This is a matter of policy, and I am sending the necessary instructions to the Criminal Investigation Department. In short--drop the case!"
Chief Inspector Sheffield looked rather dazed.
"No doubt, this is a surprise to you," continued Mr. Belford; "but do not allow it to be a disappointment. Your tactful conduct of the case, and the delicate manner in which you have avoided compromising anyone--in which you have handicapped yourself, that others might not be implicated--has not been overlooked. Your future is assured, Inspector Sheffield."