“Unfortunately for Herr Hammersley I have just received a message from another agent in London—in whom I have implicit faith. You read German a little. Would you care to see it?”
He laid it upon the table before her eyes and she looked, her eyes distended with terror of she knew now what.
Hammersley caused arrest of Byfield. Has informed on Rizzio and myself. Am in hiding in Kent. Will reach Germany by usual methods. Maxwell.
Doris sat immovable, petrified with horror. Von Stromberg’s voice crackled harshly at her ear.
“Well? And what have you to say?”
“It is a lie!” she managed to stammer. “He lies—lies, I tell you!”
“Ach! If I could believe you! Why should he lie? Unlike the case of Rizzio, Herr Hammersley has not robbed Herr Maxwell of a bride.”
“There is a mistake——”
“I fear not.”