“How did you learn about it?”
“The woman informed me.”
“How did she become informed?”
Senator Barclay hesitated for a moment, gazing intently at the earnest face of the famous detective.
“I am going to confide in you, Nick, as I would in no other man on earth,” he said impressively. “The woman whose name I will presently mention is the wife of one of the European ambassadors whose signatures are on the document. He is without exception the most influential and illustrious diplomat now in this country.”
“You must refer, then, to Sir Edward Deland.”
“Yes.”
“I have met him,” said Nick. “He was married here only a year ago. His wife, who is many years younger than he, was a wealthy American girl.”
“From which,” said Senator Barclay; “has evolved the terrible situation in which we now are placed.”
“You and Lady Deland?”