"Indeed, it is better not.
There remains now a question which I have come to ask."
"Well?"
"Mademoiselle did not by chance whilst waiting for her brother think of
examining his luggage?"
She nodded.
"I did look through it," she admitted.
"There was a paper there, which is missing now--a sheet of paper with
writing on it--in German. It is not possible that Mademoiselle took
possession of it?" he demanded eagerly.
She nodded.
"That is just what I did do," she said. "I could read a few words, and I
could not understand how it came to be in his bag. It seemed to be part
of an official agreement between two countries."
"You have it now?" he cried eagerly. "You have it in your possession?"
She shook her head
"I gave it to some one to take care of," she said, "when I was over in
England. I got frightened when we were nearly caught at Runton, and I
did not want it to be found upon me."
"To whom?" he cried.
"To Sir George Duncombe!"
The Vicomte was silent for a moment.
"You believe," he asked, "that Sir George Duncombe would guard it
carefully?"
"I am sure he would," she answered.
"Mademoiselle," he said, "this is very important.
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