“H’m, I see.”
“She said she would send it to me yesterday evening, which she did, with an understanding that I would surely return it to her this morning. That now is impossible, utterly impossible,” Senator Barclay added, with increasing agitation. “Unless I soon can do so, however—good heavens, Carter, think of the position in which we are placed. Unless the document can be recovered and returned to the safe before Sir Edward Deland arrives home——”
“There is no need to picture the situation,” Nick interposed. “If is about as bad as it could be, senator, for you and Lady Deland.”
“Bad doesn’t express it,” groaned the statesman. “It is horrible—horrible!”
“I will do all in my power to pull you out of the affair,” Nick assured him. “Tell me, now, whether the document is of the nature you had feared. Is this secret compact in any way a menace to this country?”
“No, thank God, it is not,” Senator Barclay said fervently. “I am relieved to that extent, at least.”
“All that really is involved in the lost document, then, is the exposure that threatens you and Lady Deland.”
“Is that not enough?”
“Quite enough, Senator Barclay, and then some,” Nick admitted. “You said, I think, that she sent you a letter with the document.”
“Yes.”