"My language can scarcely be more enigmatic than your actions," I answered. "I was fool enough to trust you and I left you here alone. But you were not unobserved, Prince. My servant, I am thankful to say, is faithful. It was he who summoned me back."
"Indeed!" he murmured.
"I might add," I continued, "that I took the liberty of looking in through the side window there before entering."
"If it amused you to do so, or to set your servant to spy upon me," he said, "I see no reason to object. But your meaning is still unexplained."
"The onus of explanation," I declared, "appears to me to rest with you, Prince. I offered the hospitality of my room, presumably to a gentleman—not to a person who would seize that opportunity to examine my private papers."
"You speak with assurance, Mr. Ducaine."
"The assurance of knowledge," I answered. "I saw you at my desk from outside."
"You should consult an oculist," he declared. "I have not left this chair. My foot is still too painful."
"You lie well, Prince," I answered, "but not well enough."
He looked at me thoughtfully.