n of getting details。
Give me your details； and from an armchair I will return you an
excellent expert opinion。 But to run here and run there； to
cross…question railway guards； and lie on my face with a lens to
my eye……it is not my metier。 No； you are the one man who can
clear the matter up。 If you have a fancy to see your name in the
next honours list……〃
My friend smiled and shook his head。
〃I play the game for the game's own sake；〃 said he。 〃But the
problem certainly presents some points of interest； and I shall
be very pleased to look into it。 Some more facts； please。〃
〃I have jotted down the more essential ones upon this sheet of
paper； together with a few addresses which you will find of
service。 The actual official guardian of the papers is the
famous government expert； Sir James Walter； whose decorations and
sub…titles fill two lines of a book of reference。 He has grown
gray in the service； is a gentleman； a favoured guest in the most
exalted houses； and； above all； a man whose patriotism is beyond
suspicion。 He is one of two who have a key of the safe。 I may
add that the papers were undoubtedly in the office during working
hours on Monday； and that Sir James left for London about three
o'clock taking his key with him。 He was at the house of Admiral
Sinclair at Barclay Square during the whole of the evening when
this incident occurred。〃
〃Has the fact been verified？〃
〃Yes； his brother； Colonel Valentine Walter； has testified to his
departure from Woolwich； and Admiral Sinclair to his arrival in
London； so Sir James is no longer a direct factor in the
problem。〃