THE INQUISITION
voice thundered at Rizzio, toward whom he extended the note.
“It is signed with your initials. Did you write this?”
Rizzio bent and examined the letter.
“Excellenz, I did, but it was with the object of bringing Miss Mather to”
“Silence! Perhaps you do not recall its terms. I will refresh your memory.”
“Excellenz, if I had not written that letter Miss Mather would not have”
“Be quiet. Sit down. Please listen. ‘I am telling you this,’” he read, “‘to warn you that my generosity to Hammersley is not actuated by any love of a man who has spoiled my dearest ambition, but by the continued esteem with which I still regard yourself. I do not love him; and my own wish, my duty, my own honor, my loyalty to England all acclaim that he should be delivered at once to those in authority. And yet I have refrained—for you, Doris. But I have learned that H is in communication with G and that Crenshaw of Scotland Yard is on the alert. I may not be able to save him.’”
Von Stromberg paused and laid the letter upon the table. “I could read more,” he said, “but that is enough. When did you receive this letter, Fräulein?”
“The day after Mr. Hammersley was shot”
“And, acting upon it, you went to Ben-a-Chielt to try to persuade him from the cause of Germany.”
“Yes,” she said clearly.
“You failed?”
“I did.”
“H—m.” The General paused and turned to Rizzio.
“What have you to say?”
203
