Stanley did so, with evident effort.
"Dearest Belle:
"I did not know, till after I had seen you the other night——"
"The night you proposed," interjected Kent-Lauriston.
The Secretary nodded, and resumed his reading.
"—the other night, how cleverly you got my letter out of the Secretary's clutches. It quite retrieves your losing it at the Hyde Park Club, and now I have lost it under the secret door in the Hall, as you will probably have heard. If A. R. cannot get a duplicate, which is doubtful, the door must be opened.
"I have entrusted you with all I hold most dear. You know what that is. If my plans go well, it will mean a happy future for us both.
"Now read the other," commanded Kent-Lauriston; and, sick at heart, the Secretary complied:
"You old Stupid: