“May I ask why you take such an interest in this case?”
“Certainly, Brett; I was coming to that. Senator Carew used his influence to get me in the Diplomatic Service, and during the past twelve years he has shown me many kindnesses, such as seeing that I was detailed to desirable posts, and helped me to secure promotion.”
“He wouldn’t have done that, Mr. Hunter, if you hadn’t made good,” broke in Brett quickly.
“I saw him last at Delmonico’s in New York on my way to Japan a little over a year ago,” continued Douglas. “He asked me to lunch with him, and evinced great interest in the mystery of the Jewel Custom Fraud which he, in some way, knew I had had a hand in exposing.”
“Sure he did. I told the department about your assistance when I was in Paris. If it hadn’t been for you, I’d never have landed those swindlers. They led me a pretty dance over the Atlantic.”
“We worked together then,” said Douglas thoughtfully, “and, on the strength of our past success, I’m going to ask you to take me on as a sort of advisory partner in this Carew case.”
“Suppose you first tell me the reason for making such a request.”
“In the first place I owe a debt of gratitude to Senator Carew. For the sake of his friendship with my father years ago, he has taken a great interest in me. Secondly, I am in Washington at his request.”
Brett looked his interest, and Douglas went on rapidly: “Some time ago I received a note from him asking me to apply for leave of absence from Tokio and to come direct to Washington, saying that he wished to see me on important business.”