“And yet I love her and hope to marry her. That she and her friends tried to rob me is of no importance. It’s high politics. Murder is different, but she, of course, had no hand in that and probably none in the burglary. That would be Ouro Preto’s part.”
Rutile nodded. “Very probably,” he agreed.
“I tell you this,” Topham went on, “because I am an officer of the United States, sworn to its service. No navy officer has any right to hold confidential secrets that may be inimical to his country. The countess herself would be the first to say so. I do not feel called upon to take my knowledge to the police, but my country is certainly entitled to it. Of course you are at liberty to use it in any way the interests of the United States may demand.”
“Of course,” Rutile gasped. Topham’s words seemed to have dumbfounded him. He had intended to denounce the Ouro Pretos—to show Topham the instructions he had received concerning them and warn him against them. But the navy officer’s amazing declaration upset his plans. Topham knew everything of importance—and did not care. Very well! Let him dream away his year of probation; he would be far out of reach away off there in Japan, and at the end of that time the countess could be relied on to cast him over.
“Have—have you seen the countess today?” he questioned. “Does she know that—”
Topham’s face flushed. “The countess told me yesterday that she was leaving Berlin at once,” he said, coldly. “So I was not surprised to find her gone when I went to her hotel this morning.” He rose. “That is absolutely all I know,” he finished. “Now I must be off.”
“Not just yet.” Rutile flung out his hand impulsively. “Not until I have thanked you, old man. I know how hard it is for you to tell me all this, and I appreciate your doing it. And I want to congratulate you. The countess is the most beautiful and brilliant woman I ever knew. You will find yourself much envied when the news is known.”
Topham took the hand the other extended. “Thank you, old fellow,” he murmured.
“And,” went on the secretary, banteringly, “if I ever suggested that you were slow, I want to take it all back. You’re the swiftest ever. To stop over in Berlin two days and carry off the biggest prize in the matrimonial market sure does break the record!”
Topham grinned. “It was rather quick,” he admitted. “It’s a way we Tophams have.” Then he glanced at the clock above the desk. “My hour’s up,” he exclaimed. “Good-by, Rutile. Tell Risdon I’m sorry not to have seen him again. Good-by.”