He drew his chair closer to mine, and, leaning forward, said:
“He’s never spent the money. He’s got it somewhere; much the greater part, at least.”
“Did Carr tell you that?”
“He didn’t know for certain; but he told me enough to make it almost certain. Besides,” he added, glancing at the signorina, “we have other reasons for suspecting it. Give me the ten thousand. You shall have your loan back, and, if you like, you shall be Minister of Finance. We practically know the money’s there; don’t we, signorina?”
She nodded assent.
“If we fail?” said I. — He drew a neat little revolver from his pocket, placed it for a moment against his ear, and repocketed it.
“Most lucidly explained, colonel,” said I. “Will you give me half an hour to think it over?”
“Yes,” he said. “You’ll excuse me if I stay in the outer office. Of course I trust you, Martin, but in this sort of thing—”
“All right, I see,” said I. “And you, signorina?”
“I’ll wait too,” she said.