Lutchester's hand suddenly closed upon her wrist. She was surprised to find his fingers so cold, yet marvellously tenacious.
"You are going to lose that key and I am going to find it," he said, quietly. "I am sorry—but you must."
"I am going to do nothing of the sort," Pamela objected.
His fingers remained like a cold vice upon her wrist. She made no effort to draw it away.
"Listen," he said; "do you believe that the Hastings-cum-Fischer party is going to be the best thing that could happen for America?"
"I certainly do not," she admitted.
"Then do as I beg. Let me take that key from your bracelet. You shall have no other responsibility."
"And what are you going to do with it?"
"You must leave that to me," he answered. "I will tell you as much as I can. I stopped Nikasti sailing for Japan, but I made a mortal enemy of him at the same time. He has come to Washington to consult with his Ambassador. They are together tonight. It is my mission to convince them of Germany's duplicity."
"I see…. And you think that these written words—?"