"Then be ready to start in a week. Never mind thanks. I am still your
debtor. Now about this box? You might be unable to restore it. We must
adopt other means."
Lord Ancoats opened the door of an adjoining room with, "Come forward,
please." And the little detective whom Rivers had last seen at Denton
House that very morning entered briskly.
"I believe you have met before?" said Lord Ancoats.
Rivers was too astonished to reply.
"Yes, I have met James Finny--I beg pardon--Mr. Birket Rivers," said the
detective drily.
"Mr. Rivers has explained the mystery very satisfactorily, Marvell,"
said Lord Ancoats. "The box should be restored without delay. Will you
do this, please?"
Mr. Marvell tried to look pleased, but signally failed in the attempt.
"Certainly, my lord," he replied.
There was a knock at the door, and a clerk appeared with a card in his
hand.
"I must leave you now," said the Minister. "Rivers, next week, remember.
I am much obliged for your assistance, Mr. Marvell."
With this the Secretary for Foreign Affairs left the room.
The detective took up the box.
"How on earth did you come into this matter, Mr. Marvell?" asked Rivers.
"Very simply, sir. When Lord Ancoats got the box he telephoned to
Scotland Yard, and I was sent for at once. As a matter of fact, I opened
the box for his lordship. You're sure you wouldn't like to restore it
yourself? The Vizier is ill in bed, and it won't be wanted till
to-morrow."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Marvell," Rivers laughed; "but I'm sure
it's safer in your hands."
Mr. Marvell nodded grimly. "Sooner or later, sir. Sooner or later," he
said, as he walked to the door; "but don't try to be a footman next
time."
With these enigmatical remarks the interview terminated.
* * * * *
On the following day the investiture of the Lion and the Sun took place
at Windsor. After the ceremony Prince Ali Azim and the Vizier had a
private interview with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. It
was noted at the time that the Persians emerged looking singularly
subdued.
That evening, in reply to a friendly question addressed by the Leader of
the Opposition, Lord Ancoats took the opportunity to assure the House
that the paramount influence of England in the Persian Gulf would be
maintained at any cost, and a month later the Union Jack floated by the
side of the Arab Sultan's flag on the castle towers of Muscat.
This was the answer given to the Russian intrigue. That it was so
effective and complete was owing to the action of Mr. Birket Rivers,
sometime a cadet member of the Burglars' Club.