“THIS gentleman has called to see you, sir,” and the messenger handed a visiting card to the Secretary of State, who laid his pen down on his desk and carefully inspected the card.  
“Show Mr. Hunter in,” he directed, then looked across at his . “You need not wait, Jones.”
 
As the stenographer gathered up his papers and hastened out of the room, Douglas was in, and after a few words of greeting the Secretary motioned him to take the large leather chair placed beside his desk.
 
“I was sorry not to find you when I called yesterday, Mr. Secretary,” began Douglas.
 
“I was detained in the West and did not get here until this morning. What do you wish to see me about, Mr. Hunter?”
 
“First, to thank you for granting me a leave of absence.”
 
“That is all right. Senator Carew came here and asked as a particular favor to him that you be allowed to return to Washington. By the way, his death was terrible, terrible. His loss will be felt by the whole country.”
 
“It will, indeed,” agreed Douglas.
 
“Did you see Senator Carew before his death?”
 
“No, Mr. Secretary; I only reached Washington on Monday, the night of his murder.”
 
“It seems an in these days of our boasted civilization that a man of such brilliant , a man whose life is of benefit to his country, should be killed wantonly by a worthless, drunken negro,” exclaimed the Secretary, with much feeling.
 
“You believe, then, that Senator Carew was murdered by his servant?”
 
“I gathered that impression from the newspapers, and they all insist that the negro is guilty. Do you think otherwise?”
 
“I do.”
 
“And your reasons?”
 
“The use of the letter file, an extraordinary weapon for a negro coachman to use.”
 
“Is that your only reason for believing the negro innocent?" The Secretary’s piercing eyes studied Douglas’ face intently.
 
“No, sir.”
 
“Is there anything which strikes you as being of vital importance in the case which has not yet been brought out?”
 
“Senator Carew was chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.”
 
The Secretary stared at Douglas for a full minute without speaking.
 
“I don’t quite catch your meaning, Mr. Hunter,” he said finally.
 
“Let me explain, Mr. Secretary,” began Douglas earnestly. “Some time ago I received a letter from Senator Carew suggesting that I apply for leave of absence.”
 
“Why?” snapped out the Secretary.
 
“He did not directly,” returned Douglas calmly; “he said he wished to consult me about my future. One moment”—as the Secretary opened his lips to speak. “At the end of the letter the Senator added that he hoped I was making the most of my opportunities; that it was only the part of wisdom to inform myself of all that was going on in Japan, and that he expected that I would be able to give him some interesting data about the ‘Yankees of the East,’ as he had always been curious as regards their customs, past history, and future plans.”
 
The Secretary settled back in his chair and with his watch chain. He was the first to break the silence. “Did you follow Senator Carew’s advice?”
 
“I did, sir.”
 
“With what results?”
 
“Among other things I discovered that there was an unusual activity commencing in the shipyards; army were being conducted unostentatiously, and finally, the day I sailed, I heard a report that three transports were being fitted out at Wakayama, a closed port, and were to sail shortly under sealed orders.”
 
“Excellent! Have you any idea of the transports’ destination?”
 
“No, sir.”
 
“Why did you not send me this information before?” the Secretary with unwonted sternness.
 
“I did cable a to Senator Carew. I thought you had requested him to get certain information, and did not care to have it sent through the Department directly.”
 
“The Senator did not take me into his confidence in the matter,” declared the Secretary, studying his companion’s face intently.
 
“That’s very strange,” muttered Douglas. “Very strange. Detective Brett, who is investigating the Carew case, declares, from writing found on a blotter, that the Senator wrote a letter to some unknown person. On one side of the blotter were clearly traced the words: ‘Am writing in case I don’t see you before ...’—and on the other: ‘I have discovered....’ Brett thinks Senator Carew was interrupted on two ............