For on the bed was stretched Ross, the man who had left him in the company of Crow and Melun; and driven hard up to the hilt, straight through the man's heart, was a knife which Westerham instantly recognised as one of his own.
The detective seized him almost roughly and hurried him mercilessly up to the bedside.
“Read that!” he whispered hoarsely.
Westerham stooped and saw attached to the handle of the knife a luggage label which bore the name of Walter's hotel.
And on the luggage label was printed in hand-writing the following inscription:—
“So perish all traitors. Be warned in time. The girl may be the next.”
[CHAPTER XII
THE PRIME MINISTER IS COMPROMISED]
Horrified though he was, Westerham made no sign. He had stood in the presence of death before, and he had faced it in more dreadful forms, though it is true he had never known it so intimately and so poignantly.