One thing, however, was not clear: how they had learned so promptly of
Harleston's part in the affair, and that it was he who had taken the
letter from the cab. Either someone had seen him at the cab and had
babbled to the Marston crowd, or else Mrs. Winton or Mrs. Clephane had
not been quite frank in her story. He instantly relieved Mrs. Clephane
of culpability; Mrs. Winton did not count with him. Moreover, it was no
longer of any moment--since Spencer's people knew and had acted on their
knowledge, and were still acting on it--and were still without the
letter. The important thing to Harleston was that it had served to
disclose what promised to be a most serious matter to this country, and
which, but for the trifling incident of the cab, would likely have gone
through successfully--and America been irretrievably injured.
Madeline Spencer had assured him that the United States was not
concerned; that the matter had to do only with a phase of the Balkan
question. But such assurances were worthless and given only to deceive,
and, further, were so understood by both of them. Maybe her story was
true--only the future would prove it. Meanwhile you trust at your peril,
_caveat emptor_, your eyes are your market, or words to similar effect.
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