At nine o’clock the telephone bell rang, and he replied to it.
It was Renata, Lola’s maid, who explained that Her Highness would be unable to go out to Frascati, but would call upon him at noon—an appointment which he eagerly confirmed.
Just before eleven Waldron called upon General Cataldi and was shown at once into the Minister’s private room.
Without much preliminary he said in Italian:
“I am anxious to know whether another document of very great importance has disappeared from Your Excellency’s safe?”
The General looked at him keenly, in wonder at his meaning.
“I confess I scarcely follow you,” he replied.
“Well, I have suspicion that, during the reception last night another valuable confidential document was abstracted—an envelope containing several sheets of tracing linen.”
His Excellency, quickly taking the safe key attached to his watch-chain, rose eagerly and opened the big steel door.
“Yes,” he gasped, turning pale, “it’s gone! What do you know about it, signore?”