He halted upon the threshold, scarce believing his own eyes.
Before the Minister’s safe—the same one from which the plans had been stolen—stood a woman—Lola!
The safe door stood open, and as he looked he watched her abstract an envelope, which she folded hurriedly with nervous hands and thrust into the breast of her gown, at the same time producing a similar envelope which she put in the place of the one she had stolen.
So noiselessly had he entered that she was all unconscious of his presence.
His heart gave a great bound and he held his breath. His senses were frozen by the amazing and horrifying discovery.
With staring eyes he watched her breathlessly, as with hurried hands she closed the heavy safe door, turned the small key twice and then slipped it into her long white glove, at the same time crushing the stolen envelope deeper down into the breast of her low-cut dress.
For a second she remained motionless. Then she tried the safe door in order to reassure herself that it was securely locked, and turned to leave.
But as she did so a low cry escaped her hard, white lips.
She found herself face to face with Hubert Waldron.