“Did you go up to the library?”
Rizzio showed surprise. “No, Excellenz.”
“Are you sure that Herr Hammersley was in the drawing-room with the others when you went out?”
“Yes, Excellenz. I am sure of it. There was no reason for him to be anywhere else.”
“There was no chance of his going upstairs to the library for ten—fifteen minutes—without your seeing him?”
Rizzio straightened and pulled at his mustache. “Excellenz, I think I understand the object of your questions. It is not possible that Herr Hammersley could have made a copy of the papers at Lady Heathcote’s house.”
Von Stromberg paused a moment, then he asked:
“How long after you left the door of the house before he came out with the lady?”
“Scarcely more than ten minutes.”
The General’s fingers tapped more rapidly.