I read the report. It stated that the Minister of Police had discovered the existence of a secret vault constructed beneath the mansion of Miguel de Pintra, the rebel chief. This vault, the police thought, contained important records of the conspiracy. It was built of double plates of steel, and the entrance was guarded by a cleverly constructed door, which could only be unlocked by means of a stone set in a ring which was constantly worn by Dom Miguel himself. In conclusion the minister stated that every effort was being made to secure possession of the ring, when the rebels would be at the Emperor’s mercy.
“Well, sir, what do you think of Francisco Paola now?” inquired Fonseca, with a significant smile.
“Did he not himself invent the secret vault?” I asked.
“He did, sir.”
“How long ago.”
“A matter of two years. Is it not so, Dom Miguel?”
The chief bowed.
“And until now Paola has kept this secret?” I continued.
“Until now, yes!” said the general. “Until the vault was stored with all our funds and the complete records of the revolution.”
“Then it seems clear to me that Paola, as Minister of Police, has been driven to make this report in order to serve the Cause.”