Ethol.
We told her a little of the truth, and a little, I'm afraid, which was
an exaggeration. Anyhow, we kept her quiet, and we got her to go to
England for us with Toquet. They had a very narrow shave down at Runton,
by the by."
"After this," Spencer said with a smile, "the secret service people
proper will have to look to their laurels. It is a triumph for the
amateurs."
The Vicomte twirled his tiny black moustache.
"Yes," he said, "we have justified ourselves. It has cost us something,
though!"
"You mean?"
"Louis!"
Spencer stopped writing.
"It was an affair of a million francs," the Vicomte said. "I hope he has
got the money."
Spencer resumed his work.
"The Baron a traitor!" he exclaimed. "Where is he?"
"In England! We are not vindictive. If the Germans paid him a million
francs they got nothing for it. He has been watched from the first. We
knew of it the moment he came to terms with them. He only knows bare
facts. Nothing beyond. He is going to Brazil, I think. We shall not
interfere."
"Tell me why," Spencer said, "you were so down on all of us who joined
in the search for the Poyntons."
"We could not afford to run any risks of your discovering a clue," De
Bergillac answered, "because you in your turn were closely watched by
German spies, hoping to discover them through you.
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