Elaine was astounded at the kaleidoscopic turn of affairs, too astounded even to make an outcry. As for me, it was all so sudden that I had no chance to take part in it. Besides I should not have known quite on which side to fight. So I did nothing.
But as it was over so quickly, I took a step forward to our latest arrival.
"Beg pardon, old man," I began, "but don't you think this is just a little raw? What's it all about?"
The newest comer eyed me for a moment, then with quiet dignity drew from his pocket and handed me his card which read simply:
M. Del Mar, Private Investigator.
As I looked up, I saw Del Mar's other policeman bringing in another manacled man.
"These are crooks—foreign agents," replied Del Mar pointing to the prisoners. "The government has employed me to run them down."
"What of this?" asked Elaine holding up the note from Bertrand.
"A fake, a forgery," reiterated Del Mar, looking at it a moment critically. Then to the men uniformed as police he ordered, "You can take them to jail. They're the fellows, all right."
As the prisoners were led off, Del Mar turned to Elaine. "Would you mind answering a few questions about these men?"