“A letter?” he asked excitedly. “What letter?”
“This,” said the Assistant Commissioner, handing him the note that Clancey and he had previously seen.
Bobby took it eagerly and read—
DEAR BOBBY, MY FRIEND,—
Once more I fear I am causing you unhappiness. I cannot explain everything, but I can at least tell you this. When I prevailed upon you to introduce Mr. Ramsey to me, so much against your will, I had an object. This object was very far from being a desire for Mr. Ramsey’s acquaintance as you supposed, for I am still, and always shall be, devoted to that former friend of whom I told you. His name, I may now tell you, is Prince von Waldheim und Schlangenfurst. When I came to London I had hoped to have remained long enough to see you again, but I had no alternative but to go at a moment’s notice. To have remained would have been dangerous.
This letter will be delivered to you by a person whom I can trust. By the time you get it I shall be in Holland.
Some day when peace is restored I hope we may meet, and it will give me great pleasure to see you and introduce you to Prince von Waldheim, who esteems loyalty as I do.
As to Mr. Ramsey I do not know which I despise most—his vanity or his stupidity.
With every good wish,
Believe me,