“Come on, Saidee,� he said, throwing away his last
resolve for safety. “We’ll go in the house. We’ll see Sir Richard. If it’s a trap—they’ll never give me another chance for a get-away.â€�
She thrust her hands in the pockets of her skirt and leaned toward him.
“I never knew Sir Richard to play false,� she said. “He’s too smart a man to do anything like that. I don’t think we needed to run away.�
Fay arched his brows. He followed her down the sidewalk and turned with her into the pathway which led to the House of the Lions. He stood on the steps as she knocked lightly. The three motors were blocking the road. Their chauffeurs were huddled in the front seats waiting for orders. They all had the appearance of sincerity. Fay entered the door after the girl.
Sir Richard beamed through the gloom of a half-illuminated hallway. “Ah, my runaways!â€� he chuckled. “Come right in! We’ve company of note tonight—a cracksman, a lady of class, a Prime Minister, an M. P. and the Secretary of the Home Office. I want you to meet them, Fay. They are terribly interested in how you found the secret of the German dye-cipher. You should have stayed until the discovery,â€� he added with cryptic smiling.
Fay allowed the girl to precede him through the doorway which opened into the large room where stood three men who held themselves like Empire-builders. These men stared curiously at Sir Richard as he motioned for MacKeenon and the little Scotch detective to take places at the door.
The chief of the investigation bureau rounded the table, drew up a chair and sat down. He leaned forward and fastened upon Saidee Isaacs and Fay the level scrutiny of a man who was vastly pleased with the turn of affairs. He rubbed his hands and beamed upon the company. In some manner, his strong jaw had softened. The bulges at the sides were not so prominent.
“Germany,� he began speaking, “is checkmated. All that sad country knows about making dyes shall now be known to England and America. The secret is out!�
The smaller member of the group of three men, whom Fay surmised was the Prime Minister who had fought Germany to a knock-out, stepped to the table and threw back the lid of the nearest tin box. He brought forth a sheet of paper between his steady, well-manicured fingers. He held it out with a smile.