Anthony stopped him with a quick movement of the hand. “I came to Westhampton, Your Highness, to kill, if possible, two birds with one stone.”
“And you have had the success?”
“Not altogether—although I can say that I have strong hopes. Perhaps in the near future——”
The Crown Prince uttered an exclamation of impatient disappointment. “ ‘Perhaps’ is a word that does not make a very strong appeal to me, Mr. Bathurst. I do not wish to appear arbitrary or high-handed or even ungrateful for the work that you have done, but I am afraid I’m a man that judges merit only by actual results. No doubt the case was a difficult one, but your reputation was sufficient for me to rely upon you implicitly. Those letters that were sent to me——”
“Need trouble you no longer,” contributed Anthony laconically; “that part of the case has been satisfactorily completed. It was very simple. I had almost forgotten it.”
The Crown Prince sat bolt upright in his chair. “Completed? What do you mean? Tell me, I beg of you. Do not keep me in suspense.”
“I have interviewed the writer of the letters and Your Highness may rest assured that there will be no repetition of the offence. I took the liberty, however, of promising in Your Highness’s name—if ‘promising’ be the right word to use in such circumstances—that there would be no prosecution.”
“Was that wise, Mr. Bathurst? Is such a scoundrel to go?”
“Come, sir, look at the matter from your own point of view. Publicity is surely the last condition that you would court?”
Alexis appeared to be in doubt.