The question was shot directly at the cracksman. It was phrased so that there was no possible evasion.
It was a long minute before Fay answered. He laid both palms on the table and leaned toward Sir Richard as he said:
“What did I do with it—why, I threw it away!â€�
Sir Richard flushed hotly. He half rose from his chair. His thumbs came out of the arm-pits of his vest. He grasped the edge of the table and tilted his chair forward.
“Threw it away! What did you do that for? You got it and then threw it away?�
“Yes, I got it,â€� Fay said between rigid lips. “I got what those German bunglers got—what Dutch Gus was after. I got the package and threw it into the North Sea. You sent me on a wild-goose chase—if ever there was one.â€�
“How’s that?�
“How! Why, damn it man, I’m no fool! Here I go after a strong-box, find that the outer door and the day door is ripped wide-open by a bunch of blacksmiths, beat them to the keister and get the package you sent me for—only to find that the package contains a cheap pair of smoked-glasses! A shilling pair, if ever there was one!â€�
Fay paused and stood erect. He whipped off his cap and, turning, glanced at Saidee Isaacs. She stepped forward and nodded confirmation. Fay went on:
“You’ve been badly gulled, Sir Richard!