“By mail?”
“No, indeed. Both were brought here by her butler, Hawley, who was entirety ignorant of what the package contained.”
“What did she say in the letter?”
“Only a few lines, directing me to take the utmost care of the document, and reminding me of the terrible consequences in event of its loss.[{25}]”
“That would be quite enough for any knavish person into whose hands it might fall,” Nick said, with grim dryness. “I know of no person who would be more quick to take advantage of it than Andy Margate. Did Lady Deland sign her full name to the letter?”
“She did.”
“Have you communicated with her this morning?”
“Not yet,” groaned Senator Barclay, nervously wringing his hands. “I have been trying to get hold of you. How can I tell her? How can I inform her, Carter, that——”
“You’re not going to inform her, Senator Barclay. You must keep perfectly quiet and leave this matter to me. It now is eleven o’clock. I will see Lady Deland as quickly as possible. Write me a letter of introduction, senator, and I’ll be off at once.”
“But what do you intend——”