There was another prominent figure in it at that time. He was seated near the library table, on which still lay the plans Nick had brought there, and the safety of which was all that then gave him any uneasiness. This figure was that of the Baron Esterveldt, who had followed Irma Valaska there in a touring car, then directed his chauffeur to return home.
The woman, one of Europe’s cleverest spies, then was seated near him.
Captain Dillon had been liberated, of course, and was in nervous exultation over the less threatening turn of affairs.
There then were three other persons in the room—Andy Margate, Tom Carney, and Larry Trent.
They had arrived upon the scene ten minutes before. The forces that had been in operation had come together, had united for the first time, and explanations formed a part of the discussion, conducted almost entirely by the Baron Esterveldt and Margate.
“Never mind how I came to know of your designs,” Margate was saying to the other just as a French clock on the mantel struck twelve. “That’s neither here nor there. All that we need come to is a settlement of the matter as it stands.”
“What do you consider a settlement?” Esterveldt demanded, with sonorous voice.
“That can be told with few words,” returned Margate coldly.[{39}]
“Brevity is desirable under the circumstances,” said Esterveldt, with a sneer.
It was ignored by Margate.