I took back the paper with an air as if my life depended on its preservation, and restored it to my pocket.
‘I am exceedingly sorry to have had to show you this,’ I said gravely. ‘I have, in fact, exceeded my instructions, which were simply to watch Count Marloff and report on the progress he was making. His own violent action has forced me to go further than I wished. I am sorry to say it confirms the suspicion entertained in the Foreign Office that he is playing a double game. He is a protégé of M. de Witte’s, but M. de Witte is not infallible.
‘Now I am afraid I must ask your Honour to take me into your confidence. I trust you have not put yourself into Marloff’s power? I know that he has paid you considerable sums.’
Judge —— looked decidedly nervous.
‘I have given him nothing in writing, I believe,’ he answered, glancing at the same time at an iron safe let into the wall of the room.
‘So far, so good. It is writing that counts in these affairs. Have you any objection to my seeing the memoranda you have made of your conversations with him?’
The judge stared at me as if I had been a wizard.
‘I don’t know what makes you think I have taken any memoranda,’ he protested.
‘Just as you please, sir,’ I said drily. ‘I should have been gratified if you had so far confided in me as to let me glance inside that safe. But you are right to be cautious.’
