“In my own opinion the man knows something of the affair,” the General went on. “He was on sentry duty, and tells us that nobody whatsoever passed in here except we three. Yet, notwithstanding, the papers were stolen! He must have neglected his duty in some way—without a shadow of a doubt.”
“Yes,” replied his secretary, “I quite agree with Your Excellency that if he were continuously on duty, as he alleges that he was, then he must have seen the thief.”
“Probably bribed to remain silent,” His Excellency grunted suspiciously.
Waldron uttered no word. He watched the General’s face keenly and kept his own counsel.
“The affair is a complete mystery,” remarked Lambarini, who had spoken but little. “I, too, incline towards the opinion that the man, Tonini, knows the identity of the thief, but will not speak.”
“If I have him arrested then we might get him to open his lips,” His Excellency exclaimed. Waldron at once said:
“No. His arrest would betray the secret of Your Excellency’s loss. Besides, such an injudicious action would place a very serious obstacle in the channel of my present inquiries.”
“Then you are against his arrest. Why?”
“Because that man has told me the truth.”
The three high officials stared at the Englishman in surprise.