"They didn't tell me where she was."
"No, it was not necessary. They do not blame you," he added, after a moment's pause.
"Then you are the only one who does blame me, except, perhaps, the Treasurer."
"Yes, the Treasurer who locked up the money of the State but forgot that a diamond was within reach of—"
"A thief," I suggested, and he bowed his head.
"Washington," said I, "you tell me that the Senator is blind and that the young woman herself does not suspect—" He shut me off with his uplifted hand.
"What I said then and what might exist now are two different things."
"Ah, then she does know now; she has gathered some of the wisdom that you have strewn about. You had seized the opportunity to be wise, and I had hoped that you would be harmless. But your wisdom is offensive. It seems that you would rejoice to have a hold on me."
"For what purpose, Mr. Belford?"
"Well, it isn't very clearly defined."