"Speak, speak plainly," said the stranger. "Say what you have in your mind."
In the profound silence of the cell, Lupin declared, with a certain solemnity:
"Twenty years ago a draft treaty was prepared between Germany, Great Britain, and France."
"That's not true! It's impossible! Who could have done such a thing?"
"The Emperor's father and the Queen of England, his grandmother, both acting under the influence of the Empress Frederick."
"Impossible! I repeat, it is impossible!"
"The correspondence is in the hiding-place at Veldenz Castle; and I alone know the secret of the hiding-place."
The stranger walked up and down with an agitated step. Then he stopped short:
"Is the text of the treaty included in that correspondence?"
"Yes, Sire. It is in your father's own hand."