He applied a drop of the liquid it contained to the parchment; and eagerly awaited the result; but no lettering was revealed upon it, and his face grew dark and stern.
How many tests he applied Tom scarcely knew; but he saw that this man was master of all the arts of secret penmanship, and that no matter would have been kept from him had it been intrusted to the paper.
At last Sir James became satisfied of this himself.

The veins on his forehead swelled with anger.

He saw that he had been tricked, and his fury was hotly aroused.
Smiting his great hand upon the table, he cried in a voice of thunder: "This despatch is a trick and a fraud.

There is nothing but a sheet of blank paper.

Men do not risk their lives in carrying dummy packets.
"Where is the true despatch, knave?
Out with it, or 'twill he the worse for you!" "That is all I have," answered Tom quietly; "I know nothing of any other.