“You think, then,” began Douglas, checking his remarks off on his fingers, “first, that the whole thing was a plot; that the man used Senator Carew’s name to arouse your interest or curiosity; that he faked a fit, and in your absence removed the plans and substituted false blueprints, taking a chance that you would simply look to see that everything was safe in your drawer and not examine further, and then made his escape.”
“You’ve hit it exactly,” acknowledged Wyndham. “Those were the conclusions reached by Chief Connor also.”
“It was no irresponsible person who committed that theft,” declared the Secretary of State thoughtfully. “It was a well-laid plot, neatly carried out. How long have the papers been in your possession, Wyndham?”
“They were sent here yesterday for my inspection. There has been a leak here somewhere, damn it!” Wyndham set his bulldog jaw. “I’ll trace it to the bottom, and when I find out——” he clenched his fists menacingly.
“What callers did you see besides the Spaniard?” asked Douglas.
“Let me see—the usual run, several office seekers, a number of naval officers—oh, yes, my wife came in with Colonel Thornton and his niece, Miss Eleanor Thornton.”
“Before or after the Spaniard had been here?” questioned Douglas swiftly.
“Shortly afterward. They came in about a quarter of one and did not stay long.”
“After you had discovered the loss of the plans?”