That was the Marquess of Evershed. Sheffield knew his voice well.
"It has not appeared so from your attitude, Marquess!"
Whom could that be? Probably Baron Hecht.
"Your intense patriotism, your admirable love of country, Baron, has led you to misconstrue, as affronts, actions designed to promote our friendly relations."
Only one man in England possessed the suave, polished delivery of the last speaker—the Right Honourable Walter Belford.
"I have misconstrued nothing; my instructions have been explicit."
"Fortunately, no further occasion exists for you to carry them out."
Sheffield knew that voice too.
"A Foreign Service Messenger, Mr. Maurice Anerly, left for my capital this morning——"
"Captain Searles has been instructed to intercept him. His dispatch will not be delivered."