“After my interview with Herr Rizzio. It is written hurriedly, as you will observe.”
“It is written with a pen finer than those usually employed by ladies.”
“I took what offered, Excellenz,” said Hammersley.
“What was your thought when you made the copy?”
“That Rizzio or his agents would attempt to get it away from me. It seems that I was right.”
“Are you sure that he was acting for England and not for me?” asked von Stromberg quickly.
“For you, Excellenz?”
“Did it not occur to you that your failure to accede to his request might have given Herr Rizzio the idea that you were saving this document from him in order that you might deliver it to the War Office?”
“How could such an idea occur to me when I already knew what his object was?”