The girl's head had fallen forward upon the table, and her shoulders were heaving convulsively.
Rising, Malcolm Sage walked across and placed his hand upon her arm.
"It will be better for everybody if you will try and control yourself," he said gently, "and above all tell us the truth."
As if surprised at the gentleness of his tone, she slowly raised her drawn face and looked at him in wonder.
"Now listen to me," continued Malcolm Sage, drawing up a chair and seating himself beside her, "and tell me if I am wrong. Whilst you were acting as Sir Lyster's secretary you met Paul Cressit at the Admiralty, and you were attracted to him."
She nodded, with a quick indrawing of her breath.
"He made violent love to you and you succumbed. Later you took him into your confidence in regard to a certain matter and he promised to marry you. He put you off from time to time by various excuses. You were almost distracted at the thought of the disgrace. He persuaded you to take a wax impression of Sir Lyster's key, on the chance of it one day being useful."
Again she nodded, whilst the three men listened as if hypnotised.
"Finally he swore that he would marry you if you would steal this document, and he showed you a special license. Am I right?"
She nodded again, and then buried her head in her arms.