CHAPTER XXXI.
NEARING A CRISIS From the wilds of Scotland to Monte Carlo, as fast as motor-cars and train de luxe could bring him, came the right Honourable Meredith Simpson, a very distinguished member of His Majesty's Government.
Hunterleys, advised of his coming by telegram from Marseilles, met him at the station, and together the two men made their way at once to Hunterleys' room across at the Hotel de Paris.

Behind locked doors they spoke for the first time of important matters.
"It's a great find, this of yours, Hunterleys," the Minister acknowledged, "and it is corroborated, too, by what we know is happening around us.

We have had all the warning in the world just lately.

The Russian Ambassador is in St.Petersburg on leave of absence--in fact for the last six months he has been taking his duties remarkably lightly.
Tell me how you first heard of the affair ?" "I got wind of it in Sofia," Hunterleys explained.

"I travelled from there quite quietly, loitered about the Italian Riviera, and came on here as a tourist.