“I do know that she is here as a spy for some foreign power, or powers; that her secret mission is to get information concerning our coast-line fortifications and defense. I know that she, with them to whom she pretends to be related, this Baron Esterveldt and his wife, have made you and Senator Barclay their dupes, and that the theft of your portfolio and the government plans was the work of this woman, as base, treacherous, and——”
“Stop! I cannot believe——”
“You stop!” Nick forcibly interrupted. “Do I need to say, Garland, that I would not tell you this if I were not absolutely sure of it? I am absolutely sure. Listen to me. I will tell you something more.”
Garland obeyed and listened, not once interrupting. He looked like a man turned to stone.[{26}]
Nick told him from beginning to end what he had learned since talking with Chief Welden, also much that he had done and suspected.
It brought home the truth to his hearer. It opened his eyes to the treachery of which he had been the victim. It turned to dead ashes the love that had made it possible. He covered his ghastly face with his hands, sobbing convulsively for several moments, and then he met the blow man fashion.
“My God, it is terrible, terrible!” he said hoarsely, gazing again at Nick. “You have forced me to believe, to realize, but—oh, this woman!”
“She has deceived abler men than you, Garland,” said Nick kindly. “You must tear her out of your heart.”
“Must—I have!” said Garland, with sudden vehemence. “There is no alternative.”
“As a matter of fact, Garland, this conspiracy dates back more than a year,” Nick said confidently. “It began with the Baron Esterveldt’s hospitality to the Barclays when they were abroad. It was framed up at that time and the way paved for what since has occurred. Captain Dillon had a hand in it as long ago as that, for I since have learned that he then was in Europe.”