Chapter 57

“Oh, by a little sleuthing,” said the General vaguely. “I suggest that you received a hint before you left Kuban,” said Mr. Mappin. “No, sir!” protested the General virtuously. “I suggest that Constantine and Alexander had had a meeting,” persisted Mr. Mappin; “and that Constantine trusting in his brother, had partly revealed the secret—or possibly one of his servants betrayed him to Alexander. Who can ever know now?” “Impossible!” cried the General. “Then how did you know that the blank paper would yield its secre…