"No," said Jones.
"Would it have given our affairs a serious turn if it had fallen into alien hands?"
"Decidedly," answered Jones. "It would mean flight for the Black Hundred or a long time under cover, if our friend Braine learned that Russia was now taking an active interest in the doings of the Black Hundred. And eventually all our work would have to be done over again."
"Ah!"
"You look a bit mussed up. Anything happened?" asked the keen-eyed butler.
"Nothing much. I made a cigarette out of the letter and smoked it."
Jones chuckled. "I see that you have had an adventure of some sort; but it can wait."
"It can."
"Because I want you to pack off to Washington."
"Washington?"