Much as he disliked the Camera Chap, he had a wholesome respect for that wide-awake man’s shrewdness and ability, and he didn’t deem it safe to throw down the story until he was sure that his rival was ready to quit.
So he wired back to Stephens that he was still alive, and had been working hard on the assignment, but was not yet ready to report. That evening, however, something occurred which caused him to send another dispatch.
Shortly after dinner, Gale was writing some letters in the library of the legation when he heard voices in the garden below.
“You have no right to come here!” he heard a girl exclaim petulantly. “It was very indiscreet. I must ask you to go away immediately. If you were discovered here it might cause a lot of trouble. My father——”
“I am sorry, but I had to see you at once,” a man’s voice broke in. “I have made an important discovery—one that necessitated an immediate interview with you, Miss Throgmorton.”
Gale pricked up his ears. Even before he had heard her name mentioned he had recognized the girl’s voice. He believed, too, that he knew the identity of her companion. In order to make sure he switched off the lights of the room, and, going to the French window which commanded a view of the garden, stepped softly onto the balcony.
By the light of the moon he was able to discern the familiar outline of a tall, slim man who was standing with his profile turned toward the balcony.
“Be careful!” he heard the girl say fearfully. “Suppose there should be somebody listening. Every word you say can be heard in the house. Can you not wait until some other time to discuss this matter, Mr. Hawley? Or, if it must be now, let us go to the other end of the garden. We shall have more privacy there.”
Gale waited until they had disappeared, then hurried down the short flight of steps which led from the balcony to the grounds, and went in swift but stealthy pursuit of them. He did not have much difficulty in locating the pair. They were seated on a rustic bench beneath a bamboo tree, and the Camera Chap was talking excitedly in a voice raised above its normal pitch.
“Why did you do it?” Gale heard him ask. “That’s what I can’t understand. What could have been your object in trying to make a fool of me.”