"If that's the case, we must bring a different order of intelligence to bear upon the problem. What do you say to asking the assistance of Scotland Yard, Markham?
"I've not much belief in Scotland Yard," replied the Permanent Secretary, "but still there can be no harm in our giving them the opportunity of investigating the affair. They may discover a clue which will assist us in coming to some conclusion."
"Then send over a messenger at once, Markham," said the Great Man energetically. "I shall never feel safe if the contents of despatches are to leak out in this manner. Ask the Commissioner to send over his most intelligent officer—no, ask them to send Kenly. I know he's got common sense—to make a delicate investigation. We will see him together." Then he stalked off to his own room and worked off his irritation in preparing sarcastic answers to inconvenient questions in Parliament, of which notice had been given him by members of the Opposition Party. Consequently he had recovered his accustomed urbanity when the Permanent Secretary, accompanied by Detective Inspector Kenly, was ushered into his presence. He greeted the newcomer heartily.
"Glad the Commissioner could spare you, Kenly. There's nothing like having a man to undertake confidential work whom one knows from experience one can trust. I suppose Sir Everard Markham has told you what we want you to do?"
The Permanent Secretary interrupted with a hasty negation.
"Oh, well, the matter will not take long to explain," continued the Great Man. "Correct me if I am wrong, Markham."
The Permanent Secretary nodded and handed a cigar case to the chief.
"Not before lunch," said the Great Man. He turned to the detective. "On the face of it the matter should prove a simple one, Kenly, but just at present it is beyond our combined intelligence to fathom it. Late on the fifteenth—a Tuesday, wasn't it, Markham?—a cypher cablegram containing important information came into this office. The despatch was de-coded——"
"By myself," interrupted the Permanent Secretary.
"Placed in a despatch case which was sealed in the usual way and forwarded by King's Messenger to me," continued Sir Gadsby. "I received the case, broke the seals myself, and retained the despatch in my own possession."