"To be sure."
"If it is not too much trouble, I should like to see a list of the German officials."
The secretary touched a bell; an attendant heard his wants, disappeared, and in a few moments reappeared, placing a small book upon the desk. The secret agent took it up, and his long, inquiring finger ran down a column of names.
"Von Marc," he read, "Stelzner, Konig, Dietz." Then the finger paused. "Von Steinmetz," said he. "Page twenty-nine." He turned the pages until he came to the one indicated; and what he found there he read with attention. When he had finished he laid the volume upon the desk.
"To have Germany drawn into this matter," said he, "will of course complicate matters."
"You expect that she will be drawn into it?" and the secretary looked at him inquiringly. The secret agent nodded, and the secretary continued: "To have a certain document fall into her hands might lead to nothing—and then again it might lead to a great deal."
He sat pondering for a moment; then his ruddy face lighted up, and he said:
"Pardon me a moment."
He called for a number on the telephone and chatted with Ashton-Kirk while he waited. When the connection was made, he said into the receiver:
"Did I understand that you have Stelzner for to-night?" There was a pause while the answer was being made. Then he proceeded, evidently well satisfied: "Very well; then you may expect an additional guest. Good-bye."