"Is it true, Mr. Courage," he said, "that you are still believed here to be dead?"
"Certainly!" I answered. "I have not communicated even with my lawyers.
My substitute's fate was enough to make me careful!"
"Does any one know on this side?"
"My cousin, Sir Gilbert Hardross. He is with us. He saw Polloch and tried all he could himself."
"Good!" Staunton declared. "One more question. You say that on the committee of the Rifle Club was a German officer. Do you know who he was?"
"I do," I answered. "I saw him at the club when I went to meet my cousin.
His name is Count Metterheim, and he is on the military staff at the
Embassy here."
"Better and better," Staunton grunted. "That's all, thank you!"
I went back to the room where the others were waiting. The few people whom I passed looked at me curiously. Already there were rumors flying about the place. In less than five minutes I was summoned again. Staunton looked up from his writing.
"The news has come through of the wrecking of the Café Suisse," he said.
"So far your story is substantiated. A man and a woman are in custody.
Their names are Hirsch!"
"He's a member of the committee!" I exclaimed. "I saw him bring in the bag. It was Madame, his wife, who distrusted me all the time."