"On the shoulders of us four people hangs an incredible burden. We must do nothing until we are sure. But ever since Gortre's suspicions have been known to me, ever since Schuabe asked you that curious question in the train, Ripon, I have felt absolutely assured of their truth. Everything becomes clear at once. The only difficulty is the difficulty of believing in such colossal wickedness, coupled with such supreme daring."
"It is hard," said Father Ripon. "But probably one's mind is dazzled with the consequences, the size, and immensity of the fraud. Apart from this question of bigness, it may be that there is, given a certain Napoleonic type of brain, no more danger or difficulty in doing such gigantic evil than in doing evil on a smaller scale."
"Perhaps the size of the operation blinds people — " Spence was continuing, when the door opened and the butler showed Gortre into the room.
He wore a heavy black cloak and carried a Paisley travelling rug upon his arm.
The three waiting men started up at his approach, with an unspoken question on the lips of each one of them.
Gortre began to speak at once. He was slightly flushed from his ride through the keen, frosty air of the evening. His manner was brisk, hopeful.
"The interview was excessively painful, as I had anticipated," he began. "The result has been this: I have been able to get no direct absolute confirmation of what we think. On the other hand, what I have heard establishes something and has made me morally certain that we are on the right track. I think there can be no doubt about that. Again, there is a strong possibility that we shall know much more very shortly."
"Have you had anything to eat?" asked Sir Michael.
"No, sir, and I'm hungry after my journey. I'll
