"I am tired," she said plaintively.
Nigel came over and sat on the arm of her chair.
"Tell me what happened to-night, Maggie."
"The little Chinese girl sent for me to go to her box," she explained.
"She told me where in Prince Shan's house were hidden the papers which
revealed the understanding between Immelan and himself. She gave me a
key of the house and a key of the cabinet. We could both see the man
whom I believed to be Prince Shan seated in his box. She assured me that
he would be there for the next two hours. I went to the house in Curzon
Street."
"Well?"
His monosyllable was sharp and incisive. His face was grey and anxious.
She herself remained lifeless. All that there was of emotion between
them seemed to have become vested in his searching eyes.
"I found what I believe to have been the papers. They were in the
cabinet, just where she had told me. Then I turned around and found
Prince Shan watching me. He had been there all the time."
"Go on, please."
"At first he said little, but I knew that he was very angry. I have
never felt so ashamed in my life."
"You must tell me the rest, please."
She stirred uneasily in her chair.
"It is very difficult," she confessed frankly.
"Remember," he persisted, "that in a way, Maggie, I am your guardian. I
am responsible, too, for anything which may happen to you whilst you are
engaged in work for the good of our cause. You seem to have walked into
a trap.
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