CHAPTER X

BELLAMY IS OUTWITTED


Bellamy was a man used to all hazards, whose supreme effort of life
it was to meet success and disaster with unvarying mien. But this
was disaster too appalling even for his self-control. He felt his
knees shake so that he caught at the edge of the table before which
he was standing. There was no possible doubt about it, he had been
tricked. Von Behrling, after all, - Von Behrling, whom he had
looked upon merely as a stupid, infatuated Austrian, ready to sell
his country for the sake of a woman, had fooled him utterly!

The man who sat at the head of the table - the only other occupant
of the room - was in Court dress, with many orders upon his coat.
He had just been attending a Court function, from which Bellamy's
message had summoned him. Before him on the table was an envelope,
hastily torn open, and several sheets of blank paper. It was upon
these that Bellamy's eyes were fixed with an expression of mingled
horror and amazement. The Cabinet Minister had already pushed them
away with a little gesture of contempt.

"Bellamy," he said gravely, "it is not like you to make so serious
an error.

"I hope not, sir," Bellamy answered. "I - yes, I have been deceived."

The Minister glanced at the clock.